The Living Docks: Community-Driven Ecosystem Restoration

Michelle Krumholz and Dante Romero

Florida Institute of Technology

Join us at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House while Michelle Krumholz and Dante Romero of Florida Institute of Technology discuss the Living Docks program. The Living Docks program is a citizen science initative that aims to mitigate water quality issues by enhancing benthic growth within the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Over the past few years, scientific research has explored benthic recruitment, water filtration rates, and steel mat alternatives. Current research is looking into non-plastic attachment alternatives and noninvasively observing the behaviors and interactions of mobile organisms within oyster restoration mats.

The seminar will end with a live Q&A session. Given the limited seating in the Lagoon House and an increased demand for in-person tickets, there is a $5 in-person attendance fee. Please feel free to bring your own lunch. Coffee and cookies will be provided. Viewing Lagoon at Noon presentations via Zoom remains free. We thank you for your continued support of our Lagoon at Noon Program.

The Zoom link will be in your confirmation email. A recording of the presentation will be posted to MRC's YouTube page for future viewing.

About the Speakers

Michelle Krumholz holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Florida State University. She is currently a second-year Biological Oceanography Master's student at Florida Institute of Technology, where her thesis focuses on non-plastic attachment alternatives for oyster restoration mats. Her passion is to help restore the Indian River Lagoon.

Dante Romero earned a Bachelor's in Biology from FAU and is currently a Master's student on the Living Docks project at Florida Tech. His thesis work focuses on evaluating the ecological impacts of habitat restoration integrated with human infrastructure, and his passion is to promote and strengthen effective restoration projects.

May 2026 Lagoon at Noon

The Living Docks: Community-Driven Ecosystem Restoration with Michelle Krumholz and Dante Romero