ORCA to receive funding from the State of Florida to monitor local waterways

Treasure Coast, FL– The Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc. (ORCA) will receive critical funding from the State of Florida for ORCA’s Kilroy Water Quality Monitoring Network.

“On behalf of ORCA, I would like to thank Governor DeSantis, Senator Debbie Mayfield, and Representative Thad Altman for their continued commitment to promote the gathering of data that will allow resource managers to make informed decisions to protect and restore our treasured waters,” says Warren Falls, ORCA’s Managing Director.  “This legislative session’s efforts by Senator Mayfield and Representative Altman will allow ORCA to maintain our current systems and expand our Kilroy Monitoring Network by adding additional Kilroy monitoring systems in the Indian River Lagoon.”

ORCA’s innovative Kilroy network lets scientists, as well as community members, monitor an extensive array of water quality data including water temperature, depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, oxidation reduction potential, turbidity, chlorophyll a and blue‐green algae continuously as well as nutrients (nitrate, nitrite and orthophosphate) year-round. There are currently 18 Kilroy systems deployed in the Indian River Lagoon and connecting waterways.

View Kilroy data on ORCA’s website at www.teamorca.org.

About The Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA)

ORCA is focused on preserving the Indian River Lagoon through science, restoration, advocacy and education.  As the nation’s first technology-based marine conservation organization, ORCA’s niche in responding to large-scale deterioration of the marine environment is to: Collect accurate and scientifically defensible data on water quality and its impact on the marine ecosystems; Provide the data to the public and decision makers in an easily understandable format; And engage communities in marine conservation action. By combining innovative technology, applied science, and community outreach, ORCA is leading the way in protection and conservation of our valuable coast, estuaries and oceans—saving these precious habitats for the generations of tomorrow.

ORCA’s facilities are located in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Indian Harbour Beach.

For questions, contact Lauren Tracy at 772-467-1600 or ltracy@teamorca.org.

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