Posted on October 23rd, 2025

Gliding through the calm waters of the Indian River Lagoon is more than just a scenic escape — it’s a journey through one of North America’s most biologically diverse estuaries. Here in Fort Pierce and along the Treasure Coast, the lagoon is the beating heart of our coastal environment, connecting mangroves, seagrass beds, and marine life with the people who live, work, and play nearby.

At Motorized Kayak Adventures, we’ve spent years guiding guests through this beautiful ecosystem, helping them experience it up close — dolphins surfacing alongside our kayaks, manatees drifting through the shallows, and herons wading through the mangroves. But we also see the changes: seagrass loss, algae blooms, and pollution that threaten the lagoon’s delicate balance.

The good news? Every one of us can play a role in protecting and restoring the Indian River Lagoon. Whether you’re a weekend paddler, a local homeowner, or a visitor who loves exploring nature, your small actions add up to a big difference.

1. Become a Steward of the Lagoon

Preserving the Indian River Lagoon starts at home. What happens in our backyards often ends up in our waterways. Fertilizers, yard clippings, motor oil, and even pet waste can flow into storm drains and creeks, eventually reaching the lagoon.

You can help by adopting “Lagoon-Friendly Living” habits:

• Use native plants and minimize fertilizers.
• Check irrigation systems for leaks.
• Properly maintain septic systems.
• Pick up litter during your walks or paddles.

Each of these steps helps reduce nutrient runoff — one of the main causes of algae blooms that choke out oxygen and harm fish and seagrass beds.

As we often remind our guests on tours: every drop of clean water counts.

2. Volunteer for Local Conservation Projects

From mangrove planting to shoreline cleanups, there’s no shortage of opportunities to roll up your sleeves and help.

Organizations like Restore Our Shores, Marine Resources Council, and Indian River Land Trust coordinate volunteer events throughout the year. You might spend a morning planting red mangroves, assembling oyster reef mats, or collecting debris from spoil islands and riverbanks.

These volunteer efforts directly improve water quality, strengthen shorelines, and create habitat for fish, birds, and countless other species that make the lagoon their home.

If you enjoy being on the water, consider joining a kayak cleanup — some of the best restoration work happens in the quiet backwaters you can only reach by kayak.

(Hint: guests on our guided eco-tours often spot restoration sites in progress and are amazed at how quickly nature rebounds when given a little help.)

3. Participate in Citizen Science

You don’t need a degree in marine biology to contribute valuable data. Many lagoon organizations welcome volunteers to collect water samples, measure clarity, count wildlife, or photograph seagrass beds for ongoing research.

Projects like these help scientists track changes in water quality and habitat health over time. Even a few hours a month can provide critical insights.

Imagine a network of citizen scientists — residents, students, and outdoor enthusiasts — all helping monitor the same waters they love to explore. That’s how real, grassroots conservation happens.

At Motorized Kayak Adventures, we often share what we observe during tours — from unusual wildlife sightings to changes in mangrove roots or water conditions — with local research groups. It’s our way of blending adventure with awareness.

4. Support Living Shoreline Projects

Traditional seawalls can worsen erosion and block natural habitat, but living shorelines — built with native plants, oyster reefs, and mangroves — help stabilize the coast naturally. They absorb wave energy, filter runoff, and provide food and shelter for countless species.

You can support these projects by volunteering, donating materials, or even choosing living-shoreline solutions for your own waterfront property. It’s one of the most effective, long-term ways to protect the Indian River Lagoon from storm damage and sea-level rise.

Next time you paddle past a lush mangrove fringe, remember: that’s nature’s version of coastal engineering — and it works beautifully.

5. Organize or Join a Lagoon Cleanup Day

Few things are as satisfying as seeing a cleaner shoreline after a community cleanup. Grab gloves, a bucket, and a few friends, and you’ll be amazed how much debris you can collect in just an hour or two.

Look for organized events hosted by Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful, Marine Resources Council, or Friends of the Spoil Islands, or simply make cleanup part of your routine whenever you’re out on the water.

At Motorized Kayak Adventures, we regularly collect floating debris during tours — small items that could otherwise harm wildlife. Guests often tell us how good it feels to “leave the lagoon a little better than they found it.” That’s the heart of stewardship.

6. Share the Story of the Lagoon

Sometimes the most powerful way to protect the lagoon is to help others fall in love with it.

Invite your friends to explore the Indian River Lagoon with you — by kayak, on foot, or through a guided tour. Take photos of the wildlife you encounter and share them on social media with tags like #IndianRiverLagoon and #TreasureCoastAdventures.

The more people experience the magic of this ecosystem, the more they’ll want to protect it. Education and appreciation go hand in hand — and that’s exactly what our guided eco-tours are designed to inspire.

7. Support Local Conservation Businesses

Whenever possible, choose local eco-friendly companies and outfitters that care for the environment. From kayak guides who follow wildlife-respecting practices to restaurants that avoid single-use plastics, your choices send a message about what matters to you as a consumer.

At Motorized Kayak Adventures, we’re proud to operate in a way that minimizes environmental impact — small electric motors that glide quietly through the water, zero paddling fatigue, and plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife up close without disturbing it.

We also collaborate with conservation groups and participate in lagoon-focused community events. Supporting businesses that share these values helps create a stronger, united effort for the health of the Indian River Lagoon.

8. Be a Voice for the Lagoon

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of your voice. Attend local meetings about lagoon management. Encourage city and county leaders to prioritize clean-water infrastructure and conservation funding.

The lagoon’s future depends not only on science and volunteerism but also on policy decisions made right here in our community. Staying informed — and speaking up — ensures the Indian River Lagoon remains a thriving natural treasure for generations to come.

Every Small Action Adds Up

Whether you join a mangrove planting, lead a cleanup, or simply make eco-friendly choices at home, your efforts ripple outward. Thousands of residents and visitors doing a little each can create lasting change.

When we guide guests through the mangrove tunnels or across the calm evening waters of the lagoon, we see what’s at stake — and what’s possible. The lagoon is resilient, but it needs our help.

So next time you’re out exploring, remember: this incredible ecosystem is more than a backdrop for a great photo — it’s a living, breathing world that depends on all of us.

Together, we can protect it, enjoy it, and keep it shining as the jewel of the Treasure Coast.

Motorized Kayak Adventures – Fort Pierce, FL
Guided Eco-Tours • No Paddling Required • Florida Master Naturalist Guides • 100+ Professional Photos Per Tour
www.motorizedkayakadventures.com