Space Coast Surfriders Foundation

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Intracoastal Brewing Company

1. Call to Order

Board Chair Nina Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2. Icebreaker

Attendees paired up to share:

• If animals could talk, which species would be the rudest and why?

3. Guest Speaker Presentation

Speaker: Heather Stapleton
Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program

Heather Stapleton presented an overview of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), its ecological importance, the challenges it faces, and the collaborative restoration efforts underway throughout the watershed.

What is the Indian River Lagoon?

• A 156-mile-long estuary extending from Ponce Inlet to Jupiter Inlet.
• A brackish water system where freshwater and saltwater mix.
• Protected from the Atlantic Ocean by a chain of barrier islands.
• Primarily a wind-driven estuary, with tidal influence extending only about seven miles from each inlet (with the exception of king and spring tides).
• Because the lagoon experiences very little natural flushing, nutrients and pollutants accumulate over time, creating a significant "legacy load," much of which originates from stormwater runoff.

What’s Ailing the Indian River Lagoon?

Poor Water Quality

• Stormwater runoff
• Wastewater spills and groundwater discharges
• Muck accumulation
• Freshwater discharges, particularly in the southern lagoon

Loss of Seagrass

• Harmful algal blooms
• Fish kills
• Unusual wildlife mortality events

How Did the System Become Compromised?
Heather explained the series of environmental events that led to the lagoon's ecological decline:

• A multi-year drought significantly increased salinity, contributing to a phytoplankton pre-bloom.
• Consecutive harsh winters caused large amounts of organic matter to die and decompose while drift algae collapsed, releasing excessive nutrients and toxic hydrogen sulfide.
• These events triggered the Indian River Lagoon's "Super Bloom," allowing phytoplankton to dominate the ecosystem. The resulting brown tide blocked sunlight from reaching seagrass beds, leading to the loss of more than 47,000 acres of seagrass.

Heather emphasized that restoring the lagoon's natural balance will take many years of sustained restoration efforts.

More People = More Pollution = More Muck
Typical muck composition includes:

• 60–80%: Sand, fine soils, and clays transported through stormwater runoff.
• 10–20%: Organic material, including decaying plants, algae, leaves, and other biological matter.

Why is Seagrass So Important?
Heather highlighted seagrass as one of the best indicators of lagoon health.

• Florida is home to only seven species of seagrass, and all seven are found within the Indian River Lagoon.
• Seagrass provides:
  • Critical nursery habitat for marine life
  • Food directly and indirectly for countless species
  • Shelter for fish and invertebrates
  • Stabilization of the lagoon bottom
  • Improved water clarity
  • Increased biodiversity

Lagoon-Wide Restoration & Seagrass Nursery Network
Current restoration efforts include:

• Accelerating lagoon restoration through collaborative projects.
• Expanding restoration research.
• Developing a reliable supply chain for restoration species including seagrasses, oysters, clams, and shoreline plants.
• Training and developing a restoration workforce.

These initiatives are supported through the NOAA Habitat Restoration Grant Program.

Living Lagoon Friendly
Heather concluded by reminding attendees that most lagoon problems begin on land and encouraged everyone to adopt lagoon-friendly practices:

• Follow local fertilizer ordinances.
• Be mindful when irrigating with reclaimed water.
• Keep grass clippings out of streets, storm drains, ditches, and canals.
• Use commercial car washes whenever possible.
• Always pick up pet waste.
  • Approximately 102 tons of dog waste are left within the lagoon watershed each day.
• Replace portions of traditional lawns with Florida-friendly native plants (Florida Statute 373.185).
• Install rain barrels to reduce runoff.
• Properly maintain septic systems.
  • There are more than 300,000 septic tanks within the Indian River Lagoon watershed.
• Support restoration efforts by purchasing an Indian River Lagoon Specialty License Plate.

4. Upcoming Events

• June 20: Surfers for Autism — Cocoa Beach | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• June 21: Sun Bum International Surfing Day — 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Help attempt the world record for the most people surfing in banana suits.
• June 27: Beach Cleanup & Member Surf Day
  • Paradise Beach | 8:30 – 10:30 AM
• July 5: Dirtiest Beach Day of the Year
  • Beach Cleanup & Surf Day
  • Pelican Beach Park | 8:30 – 10:30 AM
• July 15: Monthly General Meeting
  • Tiny Turtle | 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  • Guest Speaker: Marina Owens, Biological Scientist IV, Division of Marine Fisheries Management

5. Open Positions

The chapter continues recruiting volunteers for the following leadership positions:

• Vice Chair
• Ocean-Friendly Restaurants (OFR) Co-Chair / Support Lead (10–15 hrs/month)
  Supports restaurant outreach, program growth, media coordination, and community engagement.
• Fundraising Chair (10–15+ hrs/month)
  Leads sponsorship development, grant opportunities, fundraising strategy, and community partnerships.

These volunteer leadership roles are ideal for members passionate about protecting our coast and strengthening Surfrider's impact throughout the Space Coast.

6. Closing Remarks

Nina Hunt thanked everyone for attending and for their continued commitment to protecting our local beaches, waterways, and coastal communities. Special thanks were extended to Intracoastal Brewing Company for hosting the meeting. Attendees were encouraged to tip their servers generously and stay afterward to connect with fellow members.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM

Minutes Prepared By:
Brendon Miller
Board Secretary