CITIZEN SCIENCE
The goal of ORCA’s Citizen Science Program is to educate and engage community members in solving the problems that are leading to the degradation of the Indian River Lagoon.
Our educators and scientists train citizen volunteers to participate in different components of our research programs and initiatives.
This approach allows us to uniquely involve residents of all ages in measuring and monitoring local environmental conditions, identifying pollution in and around the lagoon, and arming and activating their own community to address these problems and develop solutions.
Through the power of Citizen Science, ORCA aims to:
- Build relationships with volunteers, community organizations, and local businesses to develop a conservation focused community
- Cultivate an ethic of care and concern for the Indian River Lagoon and its watershed
- Offer meaningful participation in real environmental problem solving
- Open pathways to science and scientific literacy
With the understanding that ORCA can unite educators, scientists, policymakers, and Citizen Scientists in the common goal of protecting and restoring our precious natural resources.
Get involved with our Citizen Science projects:
Vital Signs: Monitoring life in the Indian River Lagoon
ORCA’s program Vital Signs will measure the health of a variety of sentinel species, such as oysters, clams, mussels, in the lagoon and we will then develop a map of our findings.
Living Shoreline Restoration
Living shorelines are shoreline protection projects that provide habitat for plants and animals, stabilize shorelines and improve water quality.
A Day in the Life of the Indian River Lagoon
This program is designed to help students develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the IRL and the current health issues and stressors facing this estuary.
Pollution Mapping
Team ORCA citizen scientists will assist in water quality sampling at various sample sites throughout the lagoon, and analyze those samples at ORCA’s Center for Citizen Science.
One Health: Fish Monitoring
We are testing fish from the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding waterways for microcystin, the most common toxin in the blue-green algae blooms.
ORCA's Center for Citizen Science
A facility repurposed for ORCA by the City of Vero Beach
2515 Airport North Drive, Vero Beach
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Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc.
Main Office: 1420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949
Center for Citizen Science: 2515 Airport N Drive, Bldg B, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Engineering Office: 140 Tomahawk Drive, Unit 6, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937
P: 772.467.1600 F: 772.467.1602
ORCA is dedicated to the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and the species they sustain through the development of innovative technologies and science-based conservation action.
COPYRIGHT © 2018 OCEAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.