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Rivers Coalition
April 2026 Newsletter |
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Thursday, April 23, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
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Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
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| This meeting is in person and via Zoom, and is open to the public, with plenty of free parking available. Email contact@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link. |
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MORE ON MUCK, FROM DREDGING
TO TINY BUBBLES
Jim Moir, Executive Director of Indian Riverkeeper, and
Chris Stephan, Representative for Moleaer, Inc. |
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Last month, we learned more about what muck is and how it’s degrading our lake and estuarine ecosystems. But the big question remains—what do we do about it? How should we address the legacy of nutrients and pollution it holds, and the water above it? Jim Moir, Executive Director of Indian Riverkeeper, will share a brief overview of some of the technologies being explored and introduce the team from Moleaer to discuss “nanobubbles.”
Big problem. Big ideas. Let’s dig in. |
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Jim Moir - Indian Riverkeeper
Jim is a husband, father and a Florida native. From youth on Key Biscayne to his home in Martin County, he has spent most of his life on, near, or in the water. Jim went to school in Massachusetts, Newfoundland and then University of Miami as an Anthropology/ Archaeology major. He has been a captain, diver, surveyor and boatbuilder, ocean science facilitator and marine mammal specialist. He has been a Martin County Local Planning Agency appointee since 2002. He serves as a board member of the Marine Resources Council, Rivers Coalition, IRLNEP and is the Indian Riverkeeper. |
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Business Matters:
· Call to Order and Chairman’s Comments: Mark Perry, President
· Business matters and membership roll call
Presentation:
MORE ON MUCK, FROM DREDGING TO TINY BUBBLES
Jim Moir, Executive Director of Indian Riverkeeper, and
Chris Stephan, Representative for Moleaer, Inc.
Government & Agency Progress Reports:
· Martin County: John Maehl
· City of Stuart: Ruth Holmes
· State and Federal Agencies:
· SFWMD: TBD
· USACE: Maj. Cory Bell
· Lake Okeechobee Update: Dr. Paul Gray
· State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart
Coalition Reports:
· Rivers Coalition Committee Updates:
· River Kidz: Casey Darling Kniffin
· Speakers Bureau: Ed Killer
· Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality: Mark Perry
· Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow
· Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir
· Member Comments and Announcements
· Adjourn |
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Rivers Coalition Meeting March 2026
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Muck 101: Understanding the "Black Ooze"
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Joe Gilio, President of Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative (LORI), spoke in depth about muck, what it is, how it impacts our waterways, and possible solutions to cleaning it up.
Photos Courtesy of Darrell Brand |
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| Joe Gilio, President of LORI |
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Tom Hurley, SFMD Governing
Board Member |
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| Jim Moir, Indian Riverkeeper, and Charles Grande, RC Board Member |
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| John Maehl, Martin County Ecosystem Manager |
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Support NOAA Funding for Florida’s Future
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The Ocean Conservancy is circulating a sign-on letter supporting robust NOAA funding and is inviting Florida organizations to participate. The letter will be sent to the full Florida congressional delegation.
Deadline to sign is COB Friday, April 17. Click here for the sign-on form
This is a great opportunity for the Rivers Coalition to support. NOAA funding is critical to restoration in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie estuaries, as well as HAB forecasting, weather, tides, fisheries, and Sea Grant. The proposed FY27 budget includes a 32% cut to NOAA, making support especially important.
If you have any questions, please contact Caitlin Hart. |
A Powerful Look at the Everglades
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Friends of the Everglades invites all Rivers Coalition members to a special screening of the film River of Grass at 6 pm on May 6 at the Lyric Theatre. Afterwards, there will be a conversation and Q&A session with Director/Producer Sasha Wortzel and Friends of the Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples.
More information and tickets are available here: River of Grass tickets |
Environmental Stewardship Awards
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April 23, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Willoughby Golf Club
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Last call for tickets! Celebrate the leaders, innovators, and businesses making a difference at the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards—an inspiring evening honoring those advancing environmental stewardship in Martin County. The event features a cocktail hour, auction, and seated dinner as we recognize the people and programs creating meaningful local impact.
The River Kidz have been nominated
Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Reserve your seat today! |
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Putting Lagoon Smarts to the Test
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River Kidz joined the Environmental Science Center’s Grandparents & VIP Day, quizzing families and making sure everyone brushed up on their Indian River Lagoon trivia!
Photos courtesy of Casey Darling-Kniffin |
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River Kidz Youth Ambassador Zoë Glover volunteered at the Wild Dolphin’s Wild Ocean Science Event, where she welcomed Dr. Shane Gero, biology lead for Project CETI, founder of the Dominica Sperm Whale Project, and National Geographic Explorer.
Photo courtesy of Sabrina Glover |
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Rescue the River of Grass
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Sign Now to Join the Movement!
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The Everglades is one of the most critical ecosystems in the world, providing unique habitat for wildlife, protecting the water supply for millions of Floridians and safeguarding our coastal communities and economies. However, this precious resource remains imperiled due to a lack of water storage and treatment. More land is needed to store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee so it can flow into the Everglades and prevent harmful discharges to the northern estuaries.
To address this urgent issue, Friends of the Everglades has launched a campaign aimed at public acquisition of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for environmental restoration.
With your support, we can take meaningful action to restore the Everglades and protect Florida’s environment for future generations. |
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Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes
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March 26, 2026 Summary of Comments
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Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:00 am. There were 44 attendees in person, 15 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant.
Business Matters:
Member roll call was taken. Merritt Matheson announced that the Jupiter Island Garden Club gave a generous donation to Rivers Coalition after he gave a presentation to them on behalf of Martin County Forever.
Mark Perry gave a short slide introduction on the history of the muck in our waterways.
Presentation: Muck 101: Understanding the “Black Ooze”
Jim Moir, Indian Riverkeeper, introduced Joe Gilio, President of Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, as the main speaker. Joe spoke in depth about muck, what it is, how it impacts our waterways, and possible solutions to cleaning it up.
An extended Q&A session followed the presentations. The above presentations in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Government & Agency Reports:
Martin County: John Maehl stated the County had submitted comments on the draft manual for the C-44 project. He also gave updates on Martin County Forever. On April 1, the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee will have a meeting at 3:30 pm at the County Commission Chambers. On April 17, there will be a celebration of the acquisition of Bar-B Ranch at Timers Powers Park in Indiantown at 9:00 am.
City of Stuart: Ruth Holmes, the city’s environmental attorney, mentioned that the City had also submitted comments on the C-44 draft manual after consulting engineers.
SFWMD: Tom Hurley, SFWMD Governing Board Member, mentioned an upcoming NEEPP (Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program) workshop on April 16 at the SFWMD District Headquarters in West Palm Beach.
USACE: Maj. Cory Bell gave an update on lake levels, projected rainfall, and the USACE “muck” projects.
Mark Perry stated that the Rivers Coalition Board of Directors has written a letter in support of extending Maj. Bell’s tour of duty in our area.
Lake O Update: No update given other than the USACE update.
State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart stated the legislative session has ended and gave an update on bills that passed. Friends of the Everglades will give an in-depth update at their upcoming “FOE Live” on April 2 at noon.
Coalition Reports:
River Kidz: Casey Kniffin stated the River Kidz have been nominated to receive an Environmental Stewardship Award. Upcoming events include Grandparents’ and VIP Day at the Environmental Studies Center on March 28, and 2 Earth Day events in April.
Speakers Bureau: Ed Killer (via Zoom chat) mentioned there may be an opportunity to speak at the Rotary Club in Palm City.
Water Quality Report: Mark Perry presented the latest weekly and year-to-date water quality reports.
Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow discussed seagrass and chart updates on his website eyeonlakeo.
Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir mentioned the upcoming Memorial Service for Bob Mathesion on March 28 at the Flagler Center at 2:00 pm.
Member Comments and Announcements:
Barbara Osborn stated that the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Conservation Committee will be presenting their National Conservation Award to Eve Samples on April 10 at Miles Grant Country Club.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:43 p.m. |
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· April 23, 2026 - Thursday
· May 28, 2026 - Thursday
· June 25, 2026 - Thursday
· July 23, 2026 - Thursday
· August 2026 - no meeting
· September 24, 2026 - Thursday
· October 22, 2026 - Thursday
· November 19, 2026 - Thursday
· December 2026 - no meeting |
All Meetings are at 11:00 a.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
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· Mark Perry, President
· Eve Samples, Vice President
· Jim Moir, Secretary
· Darrell Brand, Treasurer
· Charles Grande, Director
· Todd Thurlow, Director
· Gil Smart, Director
· Merritt Matheson, Director
· Casey Kniffin, Director
· Ed Killer, Director
· Greg Braun, Director |
PO Box 2627
Stuart, FL 34995
772-225-6849 |
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Rivers Coalition Organizational Members
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| Atlantic Point Yacht Club & Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Citizens for Clean Water, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co. Inc, Dolphin Ecology Project, Environmental Studies Center, Everglades Foundation, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sportsman, Florida Wildlife Federation, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Four Rivers Property Association, Four Winds Condo Association, Friends of The Everglades, Friends of Harbor Branch - FAU, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, Lake Worth Waterkeeper, Leadership Martin, League of Women Voters of Martin Co., League of Women’s Voters of SLC Co., Lighthouse Point Association Inc., Locks Landing HOA, Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc., Marine Industries Assoc. of Treasure Coast, Marine Resources Council, Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Martin County Conservation Alliance, Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin County Farm Bureau, Miramar POA, North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Palm Cove Yacht Club, President’s Council of Hutchinson Island, Realtor Association of Martin County, Rio Civic Club, River Kidz, River Warriors, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Save the Manatee Club, Seagate Harbor Homeowners Assoc., Sierra Club-:Loxahatchee Group, Snug Harbor Yacht Club, St. Lucie Audubon Society, St. Lucie River Yacht Club, St. Lucie Sailing Club, St. Lucie Settlement Inc., Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart Heritage, Stuart Rod & Reel Club, Surfrider Foundation, The Yacht Club of Stuart Yacht and Country Club, Treasure Coast Rowing Club, Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, US Sailing Center of Martin County, Venture Three Community, VoteWater, Windjammer Condo Association. |
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