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Aerial view of a rock jetty at an inlet beside the built-up tip of a barrier island, with calm water and small islands beyond
Treasure Coast Ecosystems

Where the river
meets the sea

A field guide to the Indian River Lagoon, its mangrove shores, seagrass meadows, and the wildlife that depends on one of North America's most biodiverse estuaries.

Explore the Lagoon
156
Miles of Coastline
4,300+
Species of Plants & Animals
3
Mangrove Species
7
Seagrass Species in the Lagoon
Featured

From the field

Aerial view of a rock jetty at an inlet beside the built-up tip of a barrier island, with calm water and small islands beyond
Lagoon

The water quality crisis threatening the Indian River Lagoon

Decades of nutrient pollution have pushed one of America's most biodiverse estuaries to the brink. From toxic algal blooms to seagrass die-offs, the lagoon's health hangs in the balance.

Read the full story
Explore

The living coast

Dive into the interconnected habitats, wildlife, and conservation challenges of Florida's Treasure Coast.

Aerial view of a rock jetty at an inlet beside the built-up tip of a barrier island, with calm water and small islands beyond
The Lagoon

Indian River Lagoon

One of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, stretching 156 miles along Florida's Atlantic coast.

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A large manatee swimming with a smaller manatee alongside in clear blue water
Wildlife

Species of the Treasure Coast

Manatees, sea turtles, osprey, and thousands of species call these coastal waters home.

Meet the wildlife
Arching mangrove prop roots crusted with oyster shells, standing over murky water
Habitats

Mangroves, seagrass & islands

The three mangrove species, vast seagrass meadows, and barrier islands that form the coast's living architecture.

Discover habitats
Osprey with wings raised, stepping off a stick nest against a pale gray sky
Conservation

Threats & restoration

Algal blooms, habitat loss, and the people working to restore the lagoon's health for future generations.

Learn more
Wildlife Spotlight

Residents of the lagoon

A large manatee swimming with a smaller manatee alongside in clear blue water
Wildlife Guide

Florida manatees: gentle giants of the lagoon

The Indian River Lagoon hosts one of the largest manatee populations in the state. Learn about their habitat, behavior, and the ongoing fight for their survival.

Read the guide
Sea turtle swimming up toward the surface in deep blue water
Wildlife Guide

Sea turtle nesting on the Treasure Coast

Every summer, loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles return to the Treasure Coast's beaches to nest, one of the densest nesting areas in the Western Hemisphere.

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The lagoon needs our help

The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most imperiled ecosystems in the United States. Decades of development and nutrient pollution threaten the delicate balance of life that has thrived here for millennia.

Explore Conservation Efforts