The Indian River Lagoon lies alongside the Harbor Branch campus in Fort Pierce. It is home to thousands of animals and plants and provides a place for FAU scientists to conduct research.

Harbor Branch is hosting National Estuaries Day (NED) on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to inform students and the community about different types of life forms that live in and around the freshwater river that flows into the ocean.

“The Indian River Lagoon is among the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America, and the family-oriented celebration at Harbor Branch is recognition of this,” said Jim Masterson, a director at the Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery

Center.

NED is celebrated all over the coastal United States. From Oregon to New York, this special event is celebrated along rivers and bays. FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has hosted this event for the last three years and continues to do so to inform the public of what lives in the lagoon.

Visitors who come to NED can participate on an eco-boat ride along the river. The boat trip is an hour long and is conducted by Captain Nancy Beaver of Sunshine Wildlife Tours. The cost is $10 to $15. Harbor Branch scientists and teachers will be on board to explain the estuaries and show how they relate to current Harbor Branch research.

“Everyone who gets a chance to get out on the water with Captain Nancy and the Harbor Branch scientists will … learn a little more about the ecology of the lagoon,” said Masterson.

NED is partly funded by the Ocean Discovery Center and by HBOI. Children can enjoy games and go down a blow-up dolphin slide, while older kids and adults can peek at the live organism displays and hands-on learning activities. Live animals and plants will be on display for people to learn more about what can be found in the lagoon.

“The primary educational focus for the day will be spotlighting the amazing natural treasure here in our own backyard, the Indian River Lagoon,” said Masterson. “National Estuaries Day at Harbor Branch has something for all ages.”

– What: National Estuaries Day

– When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

– Where: Ocean Discovery Center, FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

– How much: admission is free, but the lagoon boat ride costs $10 to $15. This is an eco-boat ride on the Indian River Lagoon to learn about estuaries.

– For more info:

www.tcpalm.com/events/2010/sep/25/3378