Harris, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program Partner for Indian River Lagoon Conservation Efforts

Harris and Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program have entered into a partnership to support the environmental conservation and protection efforts for the Indian River Lagoon.

The company will join other industry and community organizations  that seek to promote a cleaner and healthier ecosystem as part of the IRL-Innovators and Investors network, the IRLNEP said Monday.

IRL-I2 members work to identify and implement new science and technology tools designed to address the challenges of the lagoon, including algae blooms, septic tank effluent and fertilizer residue from storm water runoffs.

Duane De Freese, IRLNEP executive director, said partnerships with large corporations such as Harris encourages new opportunities for innovation, technology development and employee volunteer initiatives.

“The Indian River Lagoon is the lifeblood of communities along Florida’s East Coast that are home to Harris as well as thousands of employees,” said Tom Campbell, innovation director of Harris’ space and intelligence systems subsidiary.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named Indian River Lagoon as among the 28 Estuaries of National Significance under the non-regulatory, community-based National Estuary Program in 1987.

IRNLEP helps connect policy makers, resource managers, communities, scientists and citizens in an effort to conserve and improve the health of the lagoon.