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Upcoming Events Calendar
Check out some cool upcoming events and trips planned by downloading ORCA's Events Calendar. Be sure to check back monthly for calendar updates so you don't miss out! Download Calendar |
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Impact 100 Grant Winners Announced In Indian River County
CASTLE, the Education Foundation of Indian River County, the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and Sebastian Charter Junior High School were selected Thursday as the winners of 2012 Impact 100 grants.The awards were made following the Impact 100 annual meeting that took place at the Richardson Center at Indian River State College in Vero Beach. Read More |
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Bringing Bioluminescence Into The Light
Bioluminescence, or cold chemical light made by living creatures, answers a simple question: how can an animal survive in the dark? Making its own light by which it can find food, attract mates or defend itself against predators is an easy fix. This phenomenon has evolved at least 40 times in evolutionary history—a clear indication of how important the trait is for various animals' survival. Read More |
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We Can All Have A Role In Reducing Pollution Entering The Lagoon
One of the great pleasures of living along the Indian River Lagoon is watching dolphins in groups of two or three gliding through the water, the sun glistening off their bodies as the slick backs of the gentle creatures break above the surface and down below in an elegant ballet. Few sights are as joyful or life-affirming in nature and in our extraordinary coastal environment. So, why are we killing the dolphins? We are, you know. Read More |
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Dr. Edie Widder Educates Vero Beach High School Ninth-Graders
On Jan. 24, Widder came to the Freshman Learning Center of Vero Beach High School and spoke with science classes about the dangers of pollution. Aligning with the third quarter curriculum for ninth grade physical science students, Widder was able to bring her decades of experience and knowledge to these students and provide fantastic insight to the consequences of pollution on marine organisms. Read More |
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NY Times Education Blog: Bioluminescence Lesson Plan
What is bioluminescence, and what function does it play in living organisms? How have researchers harnessed bioluminescence in studies of toxicity and pollution? In this lesson, students explore deep-sea bioluminescence, learn how scientists use this property to identify contaminants in water and participate in a forum on water pollution. Read More |
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NY Times Article: Illuminating the Perils of Pollution, Nature’s Way
Edith Widder presented a handful of greenish muck that had been pulled from the shallows of the Indian River Lagoon and cupped it in her palm.This fish produces red bioluminescence from light organs on the face and uses it like a sniper scope. "See that?" she asked. "That's a lot of decayed organic matter. It's just a great holding area for pollutants." Collecting mud is a new calling for Dr. Widder, a marine biologist who is known around the world for her work in much larger bodies of water. Read More |
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TC Palm Article: John D. Orcutt Jr.: Federal, State Regulators Asleep
Driving over a bridge spanning the Indian River Lagoon one sees a wonderful view of nature that enhances the aesthetic and economic value of the area. However, if one zooms in closer and thinks about the condition of the lagoon 25 years ago, one realizes it has changed. There has been a degradation of water quality over time. I remember filling buckets with shrimp netted off the Wabasso Causeway, collecting delicious oysters off numerous spoil islands, canoeing over dense sea grass beds... Read More |
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TEDx
The TEDx programs are independently organized TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) events that are planned and coordinated by local communities. In September 2011, Dr. Edie Widder spoke at the TEDx event at The Pine School in Hobe Sound, FL. Watch the video here and learn what Edie is doing to get kids interested in science and math. Dr. Widder talks about her work with bioluminescence and involvement with the newly formed Florida Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE).
Dr. Sarah Frias-Torres, Postdoctoral Scholar at Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) in Ft. Pierce, has been invited to speak as one of Florida's leading thinkers at the TEDx Fort Lauderdale (TEDxFLL) conference December 10, at the Nova Southeastern University campus. Dr. Frias-Torres’ talk "Diving with Goliath" will showcase her research on goliath grouper, the largest grouper fish in the Atlantic ocean and the most endangered. Goliath groupers are worth more money alive than dead, and Dr. Frias-Torres will explain how continued protection of this species can generate science-based sustainable economic opportunities for the region. Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading,” TEDx FLL is organized along the theme of “Creative Broward,” It will feature a keynote presenter and 7 of the county’s leading thinkers, innovators, artists, philosophers and entertainers representing such diverse fields as technology, entertainment, visual and performance art, design, politics, music, ecology, and education, among others. In this way, Broward County stakeholders from different economic activities will be inspired and open to collaborate on innovative ideas and projects. Tickets for the event can be obtained here. |
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Sit, Stay, Roll Over, And Recycle? Meet Yankee, the Recycling Dog
FT. PIERCE, Fla. -- By all appearances, Yankee looks like your typical 6-year-old golden-doodle. However, he is anything but a typical golden retriever, poodle mix. As the office pet at ORCA in Ft. Pierce, Yankee is there to greet you when you walk in the front door. But Yankee is much more than a cute face. Yankee is a dog with an eco-friendly brain, picking up plastic bags, bottles, and other trash from the beach or along ORCA's waterfront property on the Indian River Lagoon. Read More |
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Editorial: ORCA Soliciting Donors to Continue Kilroy Monitoring
When the water-quality monitoring devices named Kilroy were first deployed in the Indian River Lagoon more than two years ago, there were great expectations that the devices would soon be used throughout the nation to discover pollution sources and, ultimately, lead to the better protection of public waterways. Read More |
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CBS12: Government Funded H2O Monitoring Drying Up
Funding for water quality monitoring has been slashed on state and federal levels. Not good news for a local company that just finished developing a low-cost, state-of-the-art monitoring system that governments promised ot use and pay for. View Video |
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ORCA’s Map-A-Mile Project
Using ORCA’s proven technology to identify polluted areas of our waters, we are embarking on a ground-breaking initiative to make pollution visible by mapping areas of pollution in an easy to understand, color gradient map, similar to a weather map. ORCA’s pollution gradient map is a unique, visual conservation tool that will transform our ability to inform and educate communities about the condition of their local aquatic ecosystems and help the public, community leaders and elected officials make informed decisions on protecting and restoring critical water habitats. Learn More |
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Join Team ORCA
A donation of $50 or more will qualify you to become a member of Team ORCA. New members will automatically receive a Team ORCA t-shirt and car decal. Other benefits will include opportunities for events and outings, such as a bioluminescence kayaking trip with Dr. Widder; local environmental boat cruises with an ORCA scientist; Team ORCA cookouts & outings; VIP lectures and tours; and members-only invitations to other special events. For more information on how to become a Team ORCA member, call 772-467-1600 or click here to make your donation. Get on board with Team ORCA! |
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The ORCA Blue Diet: Eating for a Healthier Marine Environment
We are pleased to introduce the ORCA Blue Diet. We define The Blue Diet as primarily selecting foods that are grown, harvested, transported and prepared in ways that have minimal negative impact on aquatic ecosystems and the species they sustain. Most people don’t realize it, but individual behaviors are the leading source of environmental pollution. People are especially surprised to learn that some of these behaviors are culinary. We think you will be amazed to learn the many, and varied ways your selection of what you eat and drink affect the marine environment. View Tips |
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ORCA IS DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION & RESTORATION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS &
THE SPECIES THEY SUSTAIN THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
& SCIENCE BASED CONSERVATION ACTION.
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR MISSION.
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MAKING WATER
POLLUTION VISIBLE
View video detailing
how ORCA is making
the invisible, visible.
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TAKE THE DIVE!
In a moment, we will begin our decent into the depths to view the living lights of the ocean...
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BIOLUMINESCENCE
The Washington Post recently published an article that shines light on bioluminescence. |
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MEET KILROY™
Our mighty little wonder, which gauges the health of our waters as never before, is now in action!
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GOLIATH GROUPER
Today, Florida is the only place in the world where goliath groupers can be found on a regular basis.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Jellyfish have no brain and can't swim against ocean currents. They don't always know where they are going, but they get there anyway.
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