Category: Clubs and Organizations

Organization Details:

Friends of St. Sebastian River

Full Description:

The Friends of St. Sebastian River was incorporated in June 1989 as a Florida 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. We were formed by a committee of members of the Roseland Property Owners Association, along with assistance from the Pelican Island Audubon Society, who were concerned with the high fecal coliform bacteria counts in the river from a dairy farm adjacent to the South Prong, effluent from the Barefoot Bay sewage treatment facility, and speeding boats on the river. Our mission "... is to maintain and improve the health and beauty of the St. Sebastian River and its watershed."

We operate by variously identifying, initiating, researching, educating and supporting other groups and government agencies, on a wide range of issues affecting the river and its watershed. We also perform hands-on volunteer work for river related projects.

General membership meetings are held at 7:30 PM on the fourth Tuesday of alternate months beginning in January (except July), at the North Indian River County Library on Route 512 in Sebastian. A bi-monthly newsletter is published focusing on water quality information, progress on current concerns, our awards and recognition efforts, and many educational items. A website is maintained with news, a listing of activities, a library of our advocacy efforts, plus lots more.

A sampling of past and ongoing efforts by our membership include:

• Removal of a dairy farm adjacent to the South Prong of the river.
• Advocate for compliance of the Barefoot Bay waster water treatment facility with water quality standards.
• Establishment of slow boat speeds throughout the St. Sebastian River to protect wildlife and the shoreline.
• Banned airboats from operating on the river.
• Promoted the creation of the 22,000+ acres St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park (formerly Buffer Preserve) to protect much of the west shoreline of the river and water quality.
• Advocate for the pending project to dredge the muck contaminating the river habitat.
• Assist the Marine Resources Council in Brazilian pepper "bashing" to remove this invasive, exotic pest plant from the river habitat.
• Stay alert to and advocate for storm water management practices in the watershed. Activities such as water quality monitoring, boat speed compliance surveys and manatee counts.