St. Johns River Water Management District

News Release

nr09-033

Summer Water Institute to teach teachers about lagoon

PALM BAY, Fla., May 28, 2009 - Educators teaching grades 8 through 12 who want to improve their knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon are invited to register for the 2009 Summer Water Institute.

The Summer Water Institute is a four-day workshop that will combine lectures and field experiences focused on the biodiversity, ecology and restoration of the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in the continental United States. The workshop will be held July 21- 24 at various locations along the lagoon and costs $25.

The course agenda includes habitat walks, a visit to a stormwater park, a tour of the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit, a boat tour, and sampling lagoon water quality. Classroom discussion will focus on such topics as mangrove, shellfish and seagrass habitats, as well as algal blooms, fish kills and other emerging issues in the lagoon.

Teachers enrolled in the Institute will receive Continuing Education Units (CEU) as they learn about the ecology of the lagoon with the goal of eventually sharing their newfound knowledge in the classroom.

The program is sponsored by the St. Johns River Water Management District's Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, South Florida Water Management District, Indian River Lagoon Envirothon, and Florida Power and Light Co.

For more information and to register, contact Kathy Hill at the Indian River Lagoon Program office at khill@sjrwmd.com or (321) 984-4950. Registration deadline is June 30.

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