In this episode of One Lagoon – One Voice, we dive into the fascinating world of oyster farming with Sam Walsh of SharkBite Oysters and Nicolette Mariano of Treasure Coast Shellfish. Jessy chats with the farmers about how they grow oysters in floating gear on the Indian River Lagoon, what makes Florida oysters unique, and why eating farmed oysters is actually good for the environment.

You’ll learn how local genetics make oysters stronger and better suited for Florida’s hot, salty waters, how farms create habitat for crabs, fish, and other marine life, and what challenges farmers face from predators like stone crabs and barnacle overgrowth. Sam and Nicolette also share their favorite ways to enjoy fresh oysters and how consumers can support lagoon health—starting with what’s on their plate.

👉 Learn about Sharkbite Oysters and Treasure Coast Shellfish.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

This episode of One Lagoon, One Voice explores how music, dance, and storytelling can turn environmental education into an unforgettable experience. Host Heather Stapleton is joined by Adam Schnell, Artistic Director of Ballet Vero Beach, and Daniel Flick, Senior Lecturer at Rollins College and Creative Mentor for the Indian River Lagoon Estuary In Concert.

Together, they share how their performances bring the lagoon to life — from dancing manatees and land crabs in Nutcracker on the Indian River to student-composed music and spoken word performances that give the lagoon its own voice. Their work shows how creative interpretation can reach audiences who might never attend a lecture or read a report, sparking curiosity and emotional connection to the estuary.

When difficult topics like water quality and habitat loss are told through performance, they become more relatable and memorable. This episode is a reminder that protecting the Indian River Lagoon isn’t just about data — it’s also about storytelling, community, and inspiring the next generation to care for this unique ecosystem.

👉 Learn about Ballet Vero Beach and their upcoming performances.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

The Indian River Lagoon is a biodiversity hot spot with over 4,000 documented species but decades of habitat loss, pollution, and climate change have taken a toll. With 89% of its seagrass cover reduced since 2011, oyster reefs degraded, and wetlands diminished, restoring this fragile ecosystem requires bold action and collaboration.

That’s exactly what the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) is tackling through a $9.4 million NOAA Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grant.

In this episode of One Lagoon – One Voice, host Jessy Wayles sits down with Dr. Duane De Freese, IRLNEP’s executive director, and Kevin Walker, project manager for the grant, to discuss how this ambitious, multi-year restoration effort is unfolding.

Projects are already underway throughout the 156-mile estuary, including seagrass restoration, oyster reef recovery, living shorelines and wetland restoration.

The NOAA grant runs for three years, but as Dr. De Freese emphasizes, this is just the beginning. Lasting restoration depends on continued investment, collaborative governance, and community engagement. “We have the right people in the right places with the right expertise,” he says. “We need to keep working together for that common goal — a healthy lagoon.”

👉 Learn more about the NOAA grant.

To learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/

➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/
➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/
➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/