The Adopt-An-Estuary program (AAE) is funded through the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. The focus of the program is to collect baseline estuarine health data, educate and train schoolchildren and adult volunteers to monitor estuaries, and to increase public awareness about estuary health. Volunteers will learn how to properly conduct a visual survey (download visual survey .pdf), learn to test water quality through a physical/chemical survey (download physical/chemical survey .pdf) and participate in biological monitoring. Adopt-An-Estuary is a great opportunity to learn about an extremely important ecosystem while having fun outdoors.
AAE volunteers How/Who.
• Take the tools given to monitor the estuary.
• Choose your own site for monitoring. Register site with AAE Coordinator.
• Must be an estuary in Volusia County with public access unless it is your own property. Safe to monitor from.
• Monitor once a month for 12 months.
• Submit the collected data to the AAE Program Coordinator through Trey Hannah. Email him at, trey@marinediscoverycenter.org.
• HAVE FUN!! Meet people with similar interests.
• Submit the collected data to the AAE Program Coordinator through Annie Morgan – annie@marinediscoverycenter.org

What is an Estuary?

An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water where fresh and salt water meets. They are influenced by tides, but freshwater tributaries dilute the salt water. Estuaries are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth because of the mixing of nutrients from land and sea.

Why is an Estuary important?

Estuaries are important because they are a nursery for many organisms. They help to filter the water before it runs into the ocean. These coastal waters are extremely important economically, providing habitat for 75% of our nation’s commercial fish catch, as much as 90% of recreational fish catch, and drawing millions of tourists each year. These areas are often threatened by human impacts and we must take action to restore and protect this unique ecosystem.

For more information about the Marine Discovery Center – Adopt An Estuary Program visit:
http://www.volusia.org/services/growth-and-resource-management/environmental-management/get-involved/adopt-an-estuary/