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Save The Lagoon - A Call To Action

The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition presents Save the Lagoon – A Call to Action Wednesday April 20th, 7 pm at the Gleason Performing Arts Center.

Free event/reservations required.  Reservations

Join us to show your support of the Indian River Lagoon and to learn what we can do to protect this estuary of national significance.  This free public event will feature exceptional speakers as well as a musical performance by folk guitarist Dana Lyons.  Wayne Mills, a former Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation who now lives in the IRL watershed, will share ideas that helped the Chesapeake and could help here.  Dr. Duane De Freese, Executive Director of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. will discuss how this organization is moving forward to restore the Lagoon.

Maggy Hurchalla, a tireless advocate for the Indian River Lagoon from Martin County, will serve as the keynote speaker for the evening.  She served as a Martin County Commissioner for 20 years through tumultuous battles over growth and environment, and she is a member of the Everglades Hall of Fame. When isolated wetlands were not protected by state or federal agencies, Maggy transformed Martin County into a national leader for wetland protection.  She received a 2015 National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute for this work.

Many artists have recorded Dana Lyons’ songs, but perhaps his highest honor as a songwriter came when Pete Seeger called him to get the music for Dana’s song “I Am An Animal.”  Dana has shared the stage with many notable performers including Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and Stephen Stills.  We are delighted that he will perform at this event.

Other speakers are being added who will represent various occupations that depend upon the Indian River Lagoon such as fishermen and restaurant workers.  Details will be provided later.

Reservations are required for this free event so that we do not exceed the capacity of the auditorium.  If you have difficulties registering with EventBrite.com, just send an email with your name or names to SaveTheIrl@gmail.com.

Terri Wright held the position of General Manager at WFIT from 1998-2023.