Our Environmental Partners

ORCA is a nonprofit organization focused on protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems through scientific research, innovative technology, and community education. Based in Florida, ORCA leads conservation efforts in areas such as the Indian River Lagoon by blending rigorous science, engineering, and public outreach.

St. Mark’s participates in A Day in the Life (ADIL), a citizen science initiative led by ORCA in which students, educators, volunteers, and environmental professionals collect water quality and biological data along the Indian River Lagoon on a single coordinated day each October. Through hands-on field methods, participants measure parameters like temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and phosphates, helping to generate a “snapshot” of ecosystem health across the lagoon. This shared dataset not only enriches classroom learning and research projects, but also contributes to broader conservation decision-making.

River Kidz is the youth branch of the Rivers Coalition, designed to give children a voice in the future of Florida’s waterways. Founded by students in Martin County, the program has grown into a statewide movement that empowers kids to take part in conservation projects, civic engagement, and hands-on learning.

At St. Mark’s, our River Kidz chapter meets regularly as an after-school club for grades K–6. Students earn merit badges, engage in citizen-science projects such as A Day in the Life of the Lagoon, and participate in advocacy efforts like writing letters to leaders about manatee protection. This program helps our students develop pride in their environment and the confidence to speak out for its protection.

MRC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Indian River Lagoon through science, education, and advocacy. Since 1983, MRC has led initiatives such as water quality monitoring, mangrove restoration, community engagement programs, and the publication of the annual Indian River Lagoon Report, working with diverse stakeholders to safeguard one of Florida’s most valuable ecosystems.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy partners with the Marine Resources Council (MRC) to engage students in science-based conservation initiatives focused on the Indian River Lagoon. In addition to their long-standing work in water quality monitoring, mangrove restoration, and community education, MRC supports our students directly by serving as an environmental partner for A Day in the Life (ADIL). This collaboration gives students hands-on experience in field research, strengthens community science efforts, and fosters a deeper understanding of lagoon ecology.

The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition (BIRLC) is a nonprofit, non-partisan advocate for a healthy lagoon, uniting organizations, businesses, and residents around education and restoration.

At St. Mark’s, BIRLC empowers our River Kidz program, supports student advocacy efforts, and helps organize participation in A Day in the Life. Through this partnership, our students become citizen scientists and learn how civic engagement supports lagoon protection.

The Rivers Coalition is a Florida nonprofit that advocates for the health of local waterways, working to stop harmful discharges and restore balance to the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. Its youth branch, River Kidz, empowers children to learn about water quality, participate in citizen-science events, and speak out on behalf of their rivers.

At St. Mark’s, we collaborate with the Rivers Coalition and River Kidz to expand water advocacy efforts and provide our students with opportunities to take part in conservation projects, from environmental monitoring during A Day in the Life to writing letters and raising awareness about lagoon issues. This connection shows our students how community-led organizations and youth voices can influence environmental policy and stewardship.

Restore Our Shores is a conservation initiative run by the Brevard Zoo, dedicated to restoring the Indian River Lagoon through habitat strategies like oyster reef restoration, living shorelines, mangrove plantings, and buffer zones.   Their work focuses on enabling residents and volunteers to actively participate in lagoon restoration.

At St. Mark’s, our students contribute directly to oyster restoration projects, learning how filter-feeding oysters improve water quality and provide habitat for marine life. They also participate in mangrove planting and shoreline work, which helps protect the lagoon from erosion while reinforcing the importance of healthy habitats.

The Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) program is a county-led initiative funded by a voter-approved half-cent sales tax to improve water quality and restore the lagoon. Projects include wastewater upgrades, stormwater treatment, muck removal, and shoreline restoration.

At St. Mark’s, we connect student experiences with SOIRL-supported projects by studying oyster reef building, living shorelines, and other restoration efforts in our STEAM and River Kidz programs. The data our students collect during A Day in the Life of the Lagoon also complements SOIRL’s broader mission by helping track ecosystem health.

SONFishers is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that combines fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation to engage families with Florida’s natural resources. In partnership with River Kidz, SONFishers hosts events like the Kids & Family Fishing Clinic, where participants learn the basics of fishing and conservation. As part of this program, students received free fishing poles and tackle boxes, ensuring every child could participate fully. These programs are offered in coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to promote sustainable fishing practices and environmental stewardship.

At St. Mark’s, SONFishers partners with our River Kidz program to host the Kids & Family Fishing Clinic, where students learn the basics of fishing and conservation. As part of this program, our students received free fishing poles and tackle boxes, ensuring every child could participate fully. These experiences connect students to the joy of fishing while reinforcing the importance of protecting Florida’s ecosystems.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the state agency responsible for managing and protecting Florida’s fish and wildlife resources through research, conservation programs, habitat protection, and regulations.

At St. Mark’s, our connection to FWC comes through our partnership with SONFishers, who coordinate with FWC to provide fishing and conservation experiences for youth. Through activities like the Kids & Family Fishing Clinic, our students not only learn the fundamentals of fishing but also the importance of sustainable practices and habitat stewardship, reflecting FWC’s mission of conservation.

Florida Living Shorelines operates demonstration sites and educational programs to show how natural shoreline restoration (such as oyster reefs, native plantings, and marsh plants) can counter erosion and improve water quality.   It works hand in hand with agencies and nonprofits to replicate living shoreline techniques across coastal communities.  

At St. Mark’s, our students visit and engage with living shoreline demonstration sites, gaining firsthand experience with restoration strategies that stabilize shorelines and support biodiversity. These programs tie directly into our lagoon-centered curriculum and help students see the impact of nature-based solutions.

Brevard Zoo is a community-based zoological institution that combines wildlife care, education, and conservation action. Beyond its exhibits, the zoo leads local and global conservation programs, including marine habitat restoration in the Indian River Lagoon.

At St. Mark’s, our partnership with Brevard Zoo is centered on the Restore Our Shores program, where students help build oyster mats, plant mangroves, and learn the science of habitat restoration. These hands-on projects reinforce our marine science curriculum while giving students the chance to make a visible difference in their environment.