In 2016, algae outbreaks hit Martin County hard here in Florida. Nerissa Okiye, the county’s tourism director, calls it the “lost summer.” National news crews arrived for the Fourth of July, and many outfitters couldn’t keep their businesses going due to toxic algae ruining outdoor recreation.
Today, the county runs a free, award-winning ecotourism program that puts visitors and residents on its beaches, preserves and trails.
In this episode of One Lagoon, One Voice, host Caleta Scott sits down with Nerissa and Emily Dark, Martin County’s Senior Environmental Resources and Ecotourism Program Manager. They discuss how Explore Natural Martin works, who pays for it and whether getting more people outside is one of the best ways to protect the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
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👉 DIVE DEEPER:
From dolphin health to seagrass restoration, there's a lot more to discover. Browse the full episode archive here:
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One Lagoon, One Voice is a podcast where members of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program sit down with scientists, researchers, and community leaders to discuss important issues facing the 156-mile-long estuary on Florida’s east coast. Learn more about hot topics like seagrass restoration, manatee populations, and much more on the only show that brings both the wondrous and worrisome aspects of the Indian River Lagoon into focus.
#OneLagoon #ecotourism #IndianRiverLagoon
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