Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program Update: From Crisis to Comeback

Virginia Barker

Director

Brevard County Natural Resources Management

Join us at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House for October's Lagoon at Noon with the Director of Brevard County Natural Resources Management, Virginia Barker, to talk about the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program! This presentation will review the last decade of projects and progress toward reducing pollution to save the Indian River Lagoon. The Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program was built around a simple but powerful mission: restore the lagoon through collaborative, science-based projects that reduce and remove pollution. We will look at program output as well as water quality and seagrass response outcomes. We will discuss the challenges that remain ahead, the importance of a healthy lagoon to our local economy, and why, based on multiple lines of evidence, so many lagoon advocates are hopeful about the future.

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 Speaker

Virginia Barker

Virginia Barker completed undergraduate degrees in Science and Math at Duke University and returned to Duke after 5 years of professional work to pursue a Master's in Coastal Environmental Management. Her thesis was in Resource Economics. She has worked in Sri Lanka for US AID, as a research diver for the Florida Department of Natural Resources, and in marine and environmental management positions for Monroe County and Brevard County. Ms. Barker currently serves as the Director of Brevard County’s Natural Resources Management Department.

During her 29 years with the County, she has been responsible for beach management, the stormwater utility program, mosquito control, Indian River Lagoon efforts, and numerous other environmental initiatives and programs. In 2016, Virginia spearheaded development of the science-based Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan and establishment of a Citizen Oversight Committee. The Project Plan and Oversight Committee guide how a ½ cent sales tax that was approved by Brevard voters is spent to eliminate pollution and restore healthy conditions to the Indian River Lagoon. Implementation of the 10-year, $500 million dollar Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program began in 2017.

October 2026 Lagoon at Noon

Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program Update: From Crisis to Comeback