VERO BEACH, Fla. — Oct. 25, 2026 — Some of Indian River County's most important new plantings are underwater. The county and its project partner, Sea & Shoreline, have planted about 32.8 acres of native seagrass at two spots in the Indian River Lagoon, according to the county.[1]
Where and how much
The county reports the work in two phases:[1]
| Site | Acres planted | Finished | Seagrass planting units | Peat pots | Herbivory exclusion devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Slough | 12.8 | June 13, 2025 | 64,000 | 1,600 | 320 |
| Preacher's Hole | 20 | Aug. 5, 2025 | 50,000 | 1,250 | 250 |
That adds up to 114,000 planting units, 2,850 peat pots and 570 herbivory exclusion devices.[1]
"Herbivory" means plant-eating. The county's post doesn't describe the devices further.
Who's paying
The project is funded by a NOAA Transformational Habitat Grant awarded through the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, the county says.[1] NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal science agency.
Why seagrass matters
According to the county, the project is designed to "restore essential fish habitat, improve ecosystem function, enhance water quality, reduce erosion, and increase the lagoon's resilience."[1]
The county adds that healthy seagrass beds "can also help stabilize sediments and contribute to improved water quality," which makes restoring them "an important part of the County's broader efforts to protect the Indian River Lagoon."[1]
The county says the restored areas "provide important habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife."[1]
Part of a bigger lagoon effort
The seagrass project is one of several lagoon efforts in Indian River County. The county is also planning a Septic-to-Sewer Project and has been meeting with residents of Hobart Landing about it.[2] It is also preparing a Stormwater Master Plan to address flooding and better monitor water quality.[3]
The county credits the seagrass project to cooperation among "County leadership, state and federal resources, and community and environmental partners." It says the goal is "lasting benefits for residents, wildlife, and future generations."[1]
What's not in the announcement
The county's post does not say how much the grant is worth, whether more planting is planned, or how the new beds have done since they were planted in 2025.
Sources
- Indian River County, "Restoring Seagrass to Strengthen the Indian River Lagoon," Sept. 30, 2026. https://www.indianriver.gov/news_detail_T23_R612.php
- Indian River County, "Community Input Helps Shape Sewer Conversion Outreach," Sept. 30, 2026. https://www.indianriver.gov/news_detail_T23_R608.php
- Indian River County, "Building a Stronger Future for Indian River County," Sept. 30, 2026. https://www.indianriver.gov/news_detail_T23_R614.php
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