River Kidz of St. Lucie and Indian River County

Flip back in time to 1972...Wisconsin's waterways were in serious trouble. An increase in people and manufacturing, along with the use of laundry detergents with high phosphate levels were overwhelming some wastewater treatment plants. A large amount of waste was discharged into lakes and streams. Many of Wisconsin's industries, the dairies, breweries, papermakers, and vegetable canneries were big water users that also sent their wastes into Wisconsin waters. Some waterways became wastelands of smelly water and floating sludge. All over the country people were concerned about how we use water and they let their representatives in Washington D.C. know it. The result was the Clean Water Act and its goals of making water "fishable and swimmable."

In 1972, Congress passed this law to help protect and restore the lakes, streams and rivers of this country. The goals of the Clean Water Act were simple--water should be clean enough for fishing, swimming and other recreational uses. Discharges of pollutants were to be eventually eliminated. Factories and waste treatment plants were no longer free to get rid of their wastes in the nation's waters. They had to get permits, limiting the pollution they could release. They also had to keep track of their waste discharges and report on their efforts to reduce pollution. The act authorized money to go to cities and towns to help them upgrade their treatment plants. People looked for new ways to reduce discharge from factories.

Can we see the results of this law today? Yep, fish now swim in parts of the Wisconsin River where 35 years ago there were none. The smelly water and floating sludge is gone. Along the Milwaukee River there are now restaurants where people sit outside to eat next to a river that used to stink. Now, that's progress!

And, so we say, "Hurray for the Clean Water Act."

The Clean Water Act went a long way in cleaning up our lakes and rivers, but there's still more to be done. You can help keep us on the path to cleaner water by taking on some of today's water pollution challenges.

Keep the Indian Riverkeeper fighting for you.

*Explanation courtesy of http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/cleanWaterActBirthday.htm

Timing is everything right? I case you missed our Fishy Halloween Party this past Sunday. It was a huge fun success. We had about 50 attendees and hope to grow next year. Ironically, we made "Jellyfish". We wanted to show the Kidz just how life-like plastic bags can be to that of a jellyfish. They look and move just like a really jellyfish can in the water.

The River Kidz have always advocated for healthier waterways, especially when it comes to our lagoon. Outside of the harmful discharges and local runoffs we see during the rainy season, we also see lots of litter pollution. Every shoreline, beach and park cleanup I have done, PLASTIC is the MAIN culprit (amongst other things).

What can we all do?

To start, the use of reusable bags is a brilliant and inexpensive first step. Typically they cost about a dollar. Even if you bought 5 of them for every time you grocery shopped, in six months (if you grocery shop twice a month, as do I) you would have 60 reusable bags. That's a HUGE beneficial impact on our lagoon, rivers and springs.

I wanted to also share some exciting news with my familiez. I was asked to join Mother Ocean and Justin Riney of Riney Ranch to take part in a state-wide campaign to ban single-use plastic bags as we have seen in California just this year. Its going to take a "village" to come together and demand change but as we have seen regarding the damaging pollution we see during the rainy season the past year, I think it's certainly possible.

I'm going to need our familiez help in this very exciting journey. In the meantime, head over to our new Facebook page to not only follow our progress but to also see ways to help get our message across. There are some really awesome ideas that WILL require your help.

https://www.facebook.com/floridabagsit

-Katy Lewey

Thursday, October 2, 2014 Facebook alerts me that gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist was coming to Sandsprit Park for a tour of the lagoon and meet and greet. Being a homeschooling mom and River Mom, I had to be there. I wanted to give my own kidz the opportunity to actually meet Mr. Crist.

Hannah (my daughter), Zasha and Zach (Martin County River Kidz and homeschoolers) and little Aiden braved the heat, humidity and the urge to dive into the dirty Manatee Pocket water while awaiting the possible Governor. 11:30am came, noon came, 1pm came with an update, the former governor was on his way! The Kidz played on the play ground for hours laughing, playing and looking for the green Quaker Parrots.

The time had finally arrived, the former Gov. was there. Has he approach, the crowded hurried to get a good look at him. He was escorted by Indian Riverkeeper, Marty Baum and Rep. Mark Pattford to name a few. Mrs. Crist was also with him. While making his way to the boat and inching closer to the crowd that lingered under the pavilion, he stopped briefly to talk to the crowd. Expressing concern for the water issues and reminding us of the work he has actually done.

It was time to round up the Kidz and let them have a private moment with him. We prepared and printed a copy of some questioned we asked the kidz to ask any politician if they could. Some of the questions were "When the water is so dirty, what will we drink and how will we live?", "How are you going to save all of the animals?", "If you don't stop the dumping now, when will you stop it?".

Hannah, Aiden, Zach and Zasha very patiently waited while Mr. Crist made his way towards them. Dodging the reporters the Kidz did, he finally was standing right in front of the kidz, the real people we fight for, the ones who the lagoon and rivers belong to, OUR FUTURE! County Commissioner and River Kidz friend, Chris Dzadosky introduced who these Kidz were and spoke breifly about them. Mr. Crist shock each of their hands, asking them one by one what their names were. Hot, sweaty and dirty from playing on the playground for hours, the kidz appeared to be on a mission. It was that very moment when 7 year old Zasha asked the Former governor, "Are you going to save our lagoon?". It was a moment that had many in awe and many seeing first hand just exactly WHY we fight. Mr. Crist explained that he would to everything he could to save the lagoon.


Thank you Zach, Zasha, Hannah and Aiden.

So, many of the River Kidz (sadly so) are familiar with the gross discharges that have been occurring year after year. Even as smart as the Kidz are, the problem can be so complex. I wanted to take a moment to help the kidz (and parentz) understand one of the biggest solutions to our problem.

Let me break this down.

Prior to the 1960's, the Kissimmee River meandered through the center of the state of Florida a total of 103 miles. Today, the Kissimmee River runs only 50+ miles STRAIGHT down the center of the state. I HUGE difference when your talking filtrating dirty water, which is what occurred decades ago. When we see heavy rains in north Florida, most of the time, that water ends up in Lake Okeechobee. That same dirty water potentially could end up right there in our own lagoon if we were to see discharges coming from Lake Okeechobee.










It's said that once Lake Okeechobee reaches 15.5 ft., the Army Core of Engineers (ACOE) releases Lake O water out to our estuaries so that people around the lake aren't faced with flooding or a breaching of the dike, which would be catastrophic for South Florida. So what do we do if we don't want to harm families south of the lake and we don't want dirty water killing our lagoon, our livelihoods and harming the people and animals because of toxic algae blooms? There's a lot of great ideas on the table, but one solutions is obvious.

A FLOW WAY SOUTH!!!

Lets talk about the hydrology aspect of the issues here, even with clean water, we CAN NOT afford the discharges we have seen. Our estuary contains brackish water. The amount of fresh water we saw last year was devastating, possibly even more devastating then the algae blooms we saw. Salinity levels were obsolete. For those who don't know, brackish is half fresh water and half salt water....certain animals need that kind of habitat in order to survive. Too much salt or fresh water can have a very bad effect, which is what we encountered last year, especially with our oysters.

One of the most exciting plans on the table IS a flow way south. What would happen is the Herbert Hoover dike would be replaced with an opening for water to flow NATURALLY from, water would filter through the river of grass south of the lakes and into the Everglades. The problem we are facing is the pollutants in the water due to heavy agriculture. These are the same harmful chemicals that are causing toxic algae blooms and killing off many species of animals
surrounding the lagoon. In order to send the water south, we MUST have clean water which is also proposed in what is known as "Plan 6". "Plan 6" or the Flow way south plan would store water, clean the water and convey the water through the river of grass as mother nature intended NATURALLY.

Of course, this is not the only solution on the table. This is however, one of the BEST, most beneficial plans out there and has been for some time. We of course have some hurdles to make it through before we can get there but, we're pretty excited about this solution and know with the kidz help, we can get there.

Thank you for reading today's blog. We hope you found it informative and of course, should you have ANY questions, feel free to comment below, send an email to riverkidzslc@gmail.com, comment on our Facebook page or even on Twitter. We are ALWAYS willing to answer any questions some of the Kidz may have. If we cant get them, we will ask one of the hundreds of experts we're friendz with.

River Kidz news:

• We're still looking for familiez to participate in our trunk or treat on October 12. Send an email if you are interested in helps. We are hoping to have at least 20 cars.
• Sunday, October 5th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, the Manatee Center will be doing Sunday Stories with Marianne Berkes, awarding winning children's author. 
• The IRL Science Fest was a HUGE success. We would like to welcome all the new familiez that signed up with the River Kidz.
• October 8th, we'll be meeting with the Indian River County Homeschoolers group to discuss the issues along our lagoon, look at MUCK and work on an activity. 
• Monthly we'll be emailing a newsletter with all the months events that occured and are coming up.

Contact us for additional information regarding any of the River Kidz News!

Many know just what an election is. For those that don't here is a good look into what it is and just how important it is in our process of demanding clean water.

An election is the process of electing members of political body or person. In elections in the United States we mostly vote for people who are going to represent us in the government. This could be in a wide variety of positions, but usually we vote for someone who we think is going to vote and work for issues we find important. People who think like us. This way our opinion and viewpoint is represented in the government.

Elections can be complicated things, especially when you are talking about a nationwide election like the president. Candidates have large teams of people working for them who try to convince voters to vote for them. They use statistics and polls to determine what people like and try to say and do the right things to get elected. Candidates run ads on TV, hand out buttons, give speeches, and have debates to let people know why they will be the best person for the job.

Some times were even voting for certain amendments, rights and laws. (As we are this year, amendment one)

So, is voting and elections really important?

YES!!!! It's important that each person vote and get their voice to be heard. Even though it may seem to not make a difference as your vote is one in millions, it's important that each citizen cast their vote. This is important for democracy and for our country that people get to have their say and place their votes.

So what does this have to do with our lagoons problems?

The election plays a huge role, if not the largest most important part when demanding change. As state above, it is our right to believe and fight for all different causes. Some may fight for children's rights, some people may fight for firefighters, some people may fight for animals. It is our right as an American to speak up when certain things bother us. The River Kidz are known to stand up and sometimes talk to candidates, elected politicians and even government agency about what is bothering them.

As adults, many of us are registered voters to specific political parties based on our beliefs, Republicans, Democrats and Independents. There are a few others out there as well but, these are the biggest of the parties. Some people will vote for their own political party, others may venture out and vote for who has done things that they saw important issues. As many of you know, the internet is a very powerful source, were able to find all sorts of information on it. Its important we follow and do out research on candidate, especially if there are issues that you find very important.

Sadly, our problems here will NOT get fixed with out the politicians. While many of us see this as a human and animal crisis, it is very much a political problem. We have had some very good politicians and candidates help us along the way in this fight, those are the guys we want to cheer on and thank. Just like we do with our moms, dads, brothers, sisters, friends and even strangers at times, we want to thank those for helping us thus this far, even if that comes in the form of a vote.

One thing that is truly important and to always remember, when fighting for a cause, any cause, it shouldn't matter what political party you are. That cause is important to you for a reason and ALWAYS stand up and speak up when you feel its necessary, never let fear over come you. You tell your parents when you don't feel good, tell them when certain things are bothering you, such as what were facing here with our rivers, oceans and lagoon. You too have that right!

With the election coming up, were encouraging you parentz to take your River Kidz with you. Let them get a feel for the election. Here are some fun activities for your River Kidz in preparation for November:

Kidz Voters Registration Cards: here

Kidz "I Voted" templates for printing stickers: here

Kidz mock election ballot (make your own): here

Remember,
YOUR VOICE MATTERS MORE THEN THE ADULTS VOICE DO!

So the word discharge or discharges are frequently used when talking about our water problems. Its important to break down this term for all our Kidz to understand.

What are discharges?

• The definition of discharges is the rate of fluid flow passing a given point at a given moment in time, expressed as volume per unit of time, such as cubic foot per second 

or 

As we saw yesterday all along the Indian River Lagoon, many were out helping clean it up from visible pollution. I felt it was a great time to explain to our Kidz what water pollution is and the many types of it.

What is water pollution?

Water pollution is is when waste, chemicals, or other particles cause a body of water (i.e. rivers, oceans, lakes) to become harmful to the fish and animals that need the water to survive. Water pollution can disrupt and negatively impact nature's water cycle as well.

There are many types of pollution water can face. Here are some:

• Sewage (aka microbial pollution)
• Pesticides and fertilizers (aka nutrient pollution)
• Water waste and chemicals from factories (aka ground water pollution)
• Construction site debris (aka suspended matter pollution)
• Litter and garbage (aka surface water pollution)
• Oil spills (aka chemical pollution)

Locally, the largest types we see here are litter and garbage (as we saw here yesterday) and nutrient pollution (fertilizers and pesticides). This passed year, lots of Florida's cities and counties passed fertilizer bans during the rainy season or summer months. This was a great move on behalf of the many counties and cities since we all know how often we're mowing during that time of year. Unfortunately, the agriculture industries still use harmful chemicals AND the rainy season is typically the time of year we see discharges. All of those chemicals eventually make it into our watershed (see previous blog) and are flushed into our estuary and rivers. the effects of this type of pollution is detrimental to the health of the lagoon and has some areas near by completely lifeless.

The issues with our lagoon can sometimes be complicated for adults let alone our children to understand. I wanted to talk about some of the issues, verbiage and definitions to help our youth understand more.

(The highlighted blue waters have definitions at the bottom of the blog.)

Lets talk about watershed. What is it? 

Watershed is an area of land over which water flows to reach a common body of water such as a lake or pond. We all live in a watershed, or drainage basin. Watersheds can be as large as the Kissimmee River basin (which is 2,932 square miles) or as small as a farm with a pond. Your watershed may be made up of mountains, farms, houses, businesses, or towns. You share your watershed with all other living things within the ecosystem.

For us locally, watershed can be yards, land used for agriculture purpose, commercial industries and farms. All our watershed that comes from our homes, canals that branch off Lake Okeechobee, even in the Kissimmee basin can end up in our lagoon and is eventually flushed out to the Atlantic ocean.

Why is this important?

• Watersheds directly affect water quality, whether it's for drinking or recreation. For example, algae blooms from fertilizer runoff draining into water harm watershed health, as do mercury and lead seeping into the water supply due to pollution.
• Unhealthy watersheds affect wildlife.
• Aquatic life quickly suffers the effects of watershed pollution, while new pollutants introduced into ecosystems alter wildlife habitats. This reduces biodiversity by eliminating some species and introducing new, invasive ones that destroy the native species.
• Stormwater runoff can collect many different types of pollution before it reaches a body of water, including debris, dirt and chemicals.The storm water collects these materials and flows directly into a body of water like a stream or lake. These water bodies may be used for swimming, fishing and may even provide some of us with drinking water!

A year ago, many of us indulged in one treat we all are blessed with while living along the Atlantic ocean and Indian River Lagoon......swimming, playing, fishing and/or just sightseeing. Last year things took a drastic turn for the worst. Our waters turned brown, bright green algae ran amok throughout the lagoon and rivers and people got badly sick.

This problem Has plagued our home not just within the last year but for decades. This fight is not new to say the least. One thing that is new, social media. Last year, around this time two ordinary surfers/friends were fed up with the putrid sights and smells and death of the animals and took charge in the most monumental event some had ever seen while living along the treasure coast.

Evan Miller and Clint Starling brought to life the movement that has become an asset for this state. They were able to round up thousands and bring so many people from all different walks of life to one location. The St. Lucie Locks in Martin County to protest against the destruction. Their were informative speakers, scientist, politicians, environmental organizations and lots of FED UP local citizens. It was then that the momentum really started rolling.

Sadly, we are faced with the same destruction as last year, harmful fresh water discharges. These discharges are a plethora of nasty chemicals ranging from harmful chemicals to animal waste. While we presently are NOT seeing discharges directly from Lake Okeechobee, some believe this water is just as harmful as this water is left over from last year and has been stagnant prior to the gates opening recently.

August 3rd we will do it again and bring several communities together for the second year in a row.

The event starts at 10am with a great lineup of speakers. At 12pm, we will march to the locks. Following the march, their will be a ROCK THE VOTE concert. On hand will be voter registration applications for anyone who is not signed up to vote. Voting will be HUGE this year.

The River Kidz will have a booth there and are looking for ways to demonstrate what this event (the harmful discharges) mean to the Kidz. We are encouraging our young voices to join us and remind the stakeholder that the Kidz are our future. They deserve to utilize the one thing that has us all drawn to this state and that's CLEAN WATER! If your interested in having your child join the tiniest advocates, send an email to riverkidzslc@gmail.com ASAP.

I have been fortunate enough to watch lots of these Kidz grow and "just get" the problems and solutions.

Listed are links regarding this event. We need everyone who cares and wants clean water again to join us.

Citizens 4 Clean Water
Citizens 4 Clean Water event page
Kidz against Lake Okeechobee Discharges
Rock the Vote FL
Video from last years protest

We hope everyone will join us. This is the largest event and requires the largest crowd. The bigger the crowd the louder we are, the more the politicians know we mean business.

We need to demand they STOP THE DISCHARGES NOW!!!!!

On April 3, 2014, River Kidz Gage, Vivi, Aidan and Hannah were asked to join Captains Don and Dyana Voss in an exciting and new "adventure". We hopped aboard the Captains boat and set sailed into the tranquil waters of the St. Lucie River. We weren't told much prior to which made this unique excursion that much special. 

The Kidz got to witness the natural beauties in their own backyard, literally. We got to see bountiful mangroves all along the banks, Ospreys feeding and watching over their young in nest, Yellow crowned night herons AND a Osprey wading in the waters. Swallow-tailed Kites flying high over our waters in utter enjoyment. Among some of the most prettiest sights they have ever seen were the wild orchids in bloom that caught your eye no matter what you had your eyes set on prior to.

While cruising the St. Lucie, the Kidz were given a tour of some of the tiniest passage ways along the river. Going around this corner and that corner, we came to our "exit". Captain Voss urged the Kidz to help in weaving through some of the overgrown trees only to break through what we thought was heaven on earth. A narrow passage way to nothing but flawless mangroves and untouched preserve. The Kidz had never seen something quite this magnificent in their tiny little lives. We watched a poppa Osprey fly over us protecting his babies nesting peacefully in the large treetops with momma Osprey.



As we continued to embrace the natural beauties surrounding us, we embarked onto a tiny dock. The Kidz helped dock the boat and departed the boat on to land. The old rickety dock told so many tales. Still soaking in what they just experienced, the Kidz followed our "tour quide", Captain Voss through the muddy wetlands of the Halpatioke Trails. Stepping knee deep in mudd, hopping from palm frolm to palm frolm in hopes of not getting any muddier the Kidz hurdled through the trails laughing and almost feeling as if they were in a different world.
We walked for a while soaking in what Mother Nature had intended. As we inched closer and closer, the sounds got louder and louder. We were inching closer to reality, US1. Once within a few feet to this busy thoroughfare we were hit with the realization of how disheartening taking this all away would be.

The Halpatioke Trails and Aquatic Preserve are in grave danger of being taken from us. The passage way we traveled, soaking up the pristine conditions surround us would be ripped right from underneath not only us adults but these children. Taking away the beauty they should be allowed to see. What many don't realize is that the Crosstown Bridge may be a new highway to travel, cutting some slack to Port St. Lucie Blvd, we would lose all the sights and sounds of what us adults and these Kidz just feasted their eyes one. This is one of 5 proposed areas to use, this is the most detrimental pathway to use. We do have other options!

The Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County is working hard to protect these precious resources. To ensure our already sick river doesn't not have anymore taken from it. From the dirty silt on the bottom to the wetland preservation these Kidz got to skip through.

On April 12, 2014 at the Auto Zone on US1 in Port St. Lucie, the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County, River Kidz of St. Lucie and Indian River County and the River Warriors will join forces, yet again, to help raise money in a effort to fight for a shift in pathways. Please consider swinging by and getting a Eco-friendly car wash to help raise money towards this fight.

Please help of save this precious wetland and allow our Kidz to continue to enjoy Mother Natures greatest gifts.

What a great weekend. Full of new families, fun, oysters and art.

Saturday, some of the Kidz were out and about at the 3rd Annual Fort Pierce Oyster Festival. Momz Nyla, Katy and Lara painted faces. Over a hundred to be exact. We offered a jar for tips and were able to raise over $100 for our Kidz. Kidz Gage, Vivi and Hannah were present and took to the stage to talk to the public for a bit. Hannah and Gage were cool enough to walk around and get Clean Water Declarations signed for our environmental friends at the Indian Riverkeeper booth. Hannah was asked by a gentlemen WHY he should sign the declaration, Hannah's reply was "Because us Kidz are playing in the water and getting rashes and getting very sick!", she got a signature. We were able to recruit a whole page of new familiez interested in our efforts and encourage visitors to take what these Kidz are doing back home, wherever that may be. I would like to give a special shout out to our County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky for coming to the Kidz rescue and loaning them a canopy until we can get our own.

If you would like to contribute to our Kidz events and activities, head over to our fundraising page and make a contribution to our cause. No amount is too small.

The River Kid booth also had a special visitor, Gregory Oravac is a candidate for Port St. Lucie Mayor. He also is a amazing family man who enrolled his children into the River Kidz. He has some great plans on the table for our local waterway concerns. We are so excited to have his family involved with the River Kidz.

Sunday, our April meeting day. We had a great turnout with lots of new members. We worked on out official logo allowing those present to stamp their hand prints into a water drop that will symbolize so much but mainly expressing to the public that water too has a voice and its in these Kidz "hands" to speak up for it. I can't wait to share it with you. We had local artist, Brigid McGuiness come lend a helping hand with her beautiful River Kid, Jensen.


We hope to share our new logo in the coming days or weeks.

Some key notes discussed today at our meeting;

• We talked about the importance of mentoring one another and working together as a group. We explained to our older Kidz the importance of them being their and the impact THEY have on the smaller Kidz.
  
• We introduced some of the Special Edition River Kidz today. It was very cool to see Sam, Tina and
•  Jeff dive right in and be a part of something huge. To these Kidz, this can be very tough for them. They LOVED it!

Lilly Tougas, a Wyland Foundation ambassador and River Kid encouraged the Kidz to pledge to conserving water. We discussed things we all can and are doing at home to play our role. We are asking our families to "Take the Pledge" as well. Some of our Kidz did it today. Head over to the Wyland Foundation website, and pledge that you too will help conserve earths most valuable resource. Their is an adult version AND childrens version. The City with the most pledges could win some fabulous prizes.

• We talked about our upcoming events and how we're going to be seeing a "shift in the tides" and that we'll be bringing them lots more hands on activities and field trips. Yes, field trips. One mentioned today was a seigning field trip to Jaycee Park. Some of the Kidz have done it so, those Kidz talked about it to our younger Kidz. They got very excited to hear all about the cool creatures they would be able to experience.
• The Kidz were able to enjoy a yummy healthy snack, Dolphin Bananas and Grapes. River Mommaz love a yummy treat especially, the healthy ones. 
• Jack Hudson visited today and explained to the Kidz his ideas and his collaboration with us. In case you haven't heard, the River Kidz were given a great opportunity to team up with the American Dream Factory and test water products finalizing them with a seal of approval. Their little faces lit up.

This past weekend was a very positive one for the lagoon. 

From clean-ups in Ft. Pierce to parades in Jensen Beach, it was one super beneficial weekend. The Kidz were super busy doing what they LOVE best. Working, promoting and restoring.

On Saturday in the AM some of the Kidz were present for the "Boots on the ground: No MOORE trash" cleanup organized by the Scout Troop 772 and Neighborhood Bibleway Church. Among the Kidz and the community coming together, we also saw some of our favorite politicians come out and lend a helping hand to their community. Rep. Larry Lee was present, Congressmen Partick Murphy's representatives were present also, County Commissioner's Chris Dzadovsky and Kim Johnson we're also present.

This area the Kidz targeted was an area that leads directly into our lagoon, the amounts of trash that was collected along the creek really helped keep our lagoon clean and free from litter. The Kidz recognize it isn't just about the chemicals coming into the lagoon from Lake Okeechobee but its also up to us here on the local front to do our part.

Saturday PM was another fun filled event. Some of the Kidz were present while restoring what was loss, our oysters population. Last summer, the entire oyster population was decimated due to the discharges. The Kidz were a part of putting back what was loss. Among the community again being there to lend a helping hand was County Commissioner's Chris Dzadovsky.

County Commissioner's Chris Dzadovsky has proven to be an asset in this cause and has been present in a lot of the River Warrior's fight. The River Kidz thank all the County Commissioner's who have really stepped up and familiarized themselves to our concerns here at home and got involved.

                                     

Sunday in Jensen Beach was the St. Patricks Day Parade, the Kidz had a blast riding in the super bright yellow Mustang and passing out great information flyers with blue and green swedish fish. The Kidz got to talk to our Indian River Keeper, meet Mary W. Higgins who is in the running for State representative while promote awareness and watch other River Kidz sign the Clean Water Declaration. Lots of the River Momma's were there to help make a lot of this possible. A huge thanks to Gayle Ryan for inviting us and allowing them to be a part of what we all know has to be done, promoting awareness. Gayle has set records across the board at not only being one of the most active warriors, she as also set records when it comes to getting petitions signed. We thank you so much Gayle!!!


If you would like to join the River Kidz, its very simple. For Martin County, head over to their registration page and sign-up. For St. Lucie County, send an email to riverkidzslc@gmail.com and include your child's name and age. You then will be put on our mailing list and notified of both counties events. Again, I woud like to thank both communities for embracing our new chapter and really making it possible for these Kidz to have a voice.

On behalf of the River Kidz in both St. Lucie and Martin County, we would like to thank the following local municipals in their continued efforts to help clean our waterways. Fertilizers, as we have shared with our Kidz, have continued to prove major destruction along our lagoon. While we have lots of work to do and we know big agriculture and business ARE exempt from these new ordinances (per THE STATE, not local), its still refreshing to see our local elected officials hop on board towards a brighter future for our Kidz.

As quoted by one of our River Kidz, "Why do we need to use those chemicals when the rain and sun is perfect enough for the grass?!"  My answer, we DON'T need those chemicals, your right, the rain and sun is plenty enough.

• Town of Sewall’s Point
• Martin County
• Indian River County
• St Lucie County
• Orchid Island
• Indian River Shores
• Vero Beach
• Brevard County
• Port St Lucie
• Jupiter Island
• Ocean Breeze
• Fellsmere
• Palm Shores
• Melbourne Beach
• Sebastian
• Rockledge
• Satellite Beach
• New Smyrna Beach
• Cocoa Beach
• Stuart is in the early stages of this discussion, as well

Thank you to all our environmental stewardship's/friends who have continue to prove day in and out how dedicated they are in getting clean, healthy, safe water once and for all. 

1. Where is Lake Okeechobee located?

• Western Martin County and surrounding counties. See map.

2. Why is Lake Okeechobee important?

• It is the second largest fresh water lake in the US (besides the Great Lakes) and if it gets too full, the government drains it into our rivers!

3. What are the two rivers in St. Lucie County?

• St. Lucie River (North Fork) and Indian River Lagoon.

4. What happens to the St. Lucie River when the government drains Lake
Okeechobee into this estuary?

• The polluted waters of Lake Okeechobee destroy the St. Lucie River by releasing pollution and sediment into our rivers and causing toxic algae blooms that kill sea grass, fish, and other wildlife, and destroying our fishing, tourist industry, and home property values.

5. How can the River Kidz help stop the discharges?

• Advocate the sending of the flood waters south as nature originally intended, into the Southern Everglades System, south of Lake Okeechobee.

6. What is the name of our inlet to the Atlantic Ocean?

• The Fort Pierce Inlet

7. What is the Kissimmee River and where is it?

• It is a long river south of Orlando leading to Lake Okeechobee that used to be winding and the government made it straight.

8. What is the government now doing to parts of the Kissimmee river?

• Making it winding again so as to filter the water before it enters Lake Okeechobee.

9. Why is the Kissimmee better winding than straight?

• When straight, all the pollution shoots down to Lake Okeechobee and then into the St. Lucie river.

10.What's so special about the Indian River Lagoon?

• The IRL is most biologically diverse estuary in the conteninal US supporting more than 4000 species of plants and animals; 700 species of fish, 300 species of birds, and 1300 species of plants.

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