Harmful Algal Bloom Extension Program for the Indian River Lagoon

In Summer 2016, St. Lucie County, Florida, was impacted by harmful algal blooms in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon estuary. The Indian River Lagoon runs through a densely populated portion of St. Lucie County. Public health authorities in neighboring counties issued recommendations for people to protect themselves, their families, and pets from exposure to harmful algal blooms. This news resulted in dramatic negative impacts on businesses, residents, and visitors in St. Lucie County. These episodes demonstrate the importance of having informed citizens with an understanding of the problems and threats. In St. Lucie County, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science research and extension faculty developed the Harmful Algal Bloom Extension Program to address the need to obtain long-term algae and water quality data, to engage local citizens in these efforts, and to develop solutions to the problem. With the assistance of local volunteers, we increased data and real-time local information, while engaging the community and bringing science into homes, and conducting groundbreaking outreach and research on harmful algal blooms.