Mary Ellen McCarthy. [Photo: Kaila Jones]

Compelled by the pandemic to forgo its usual Land Water Wildlife annual event at Rock City Gardens, the Indian River Land Trust opted instead to invite some 300 supporters to enjoy a different type of fundraiser – a Picnic to Protect the Lagoon.

Picnickers drove to the IRLT office where they received gourmet baskets filled with an elegant filet mignon and lobster repast prepared by Travis Beckett and his team at Wild Thyme Catering, plus bottles of wine.

Ken Grudens, IRLT executive director, said that the event had been a great success thanks to everyone’s support, but added that they hope to return to Rock City Gardens in 2021.

Longtime supporters Sheila and George Marshall hosted several couples at their Moorings home, setting tables up on their spacious waterfront lanai with a candlelit French Provincial theme.

“Over the summer, we all got used to doing takeout, so this fits in with that,” said Sheila Marshall. “And you get to keep these great picnic baskets to remind you of the Land Trust.”

“As always, the Land Trust strives to provide beautiful places for our residents to get outside and enjoy nature. During this challenging pandemic, being outside is the safest place to be with friends and family and our trails have stayed open for all to enjoy,” said Grudens, referencing the Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail and the Lagoon Greenway.

The Land Trust, in partnership with the county, is also working on the Oyster Bar Marsh Trail, which is expected to open in 2021.

“Throughout 2020, the Indian River Land Trust has continued to protect the land that protects the Lagoon,” said Grudens. “Despite all we have been going through, the past year has been full of wonderful successes for the Indian River Land Trust, including the acquisition of the highly visible Hoffmann property, below and north of the Barber Bridge. This 65-acre acquisition is a keystone conservation property we’ve had in our sights for ten years.”

The Hoffmann property was a notable achievement for this 30th anniversary year of the IRLT, which is currently maintaining and improving more than 1,200 acres and 12 miles of shoreline to help improve Indian River Lagoon water quality.

Additionally, over the summer, a visioning team has been hard at work at Phase I of a projected state-of-the-art research and education facility at its Coastal Oaks Preserve property, which is being turned into a freshwater wetland system and restored oak-palm hammock. Another environmentally sensitive property is the Winter Beach Salt Marsh, one of the last remaining intact high salt marshes in Indian River County.

For more information, visit irlt.org.