Founded in 2006, Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) works to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the life that they sustain through innovative technologies, applied research science, education, and citizen science with particular emphasis on the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Indian River Community Foundation recently awarded ORCA $20,000 from the Community Enrichment Fund for the Citizen Science...

June 8th is World Oceans Day, an international day dedicated to supporting worldwide public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources. One prominent local organization working to achieve these goals is the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), whose mission is to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the species they...

Recently, Indian River Community Foundation awarded Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) a discretionary grant of $25,000 for their Citizen Science Program. ORCA’s mission is to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the life that they sustain through innovative technologies, applied research science, education, and citizen science with particular emphasis on the Indian River Lagoon (IRL)....

June 8th is World Oceans Day, an international day dedicated to supporting worldwide public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources. One prominent local organization working to achieve these goals is the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), whose mission is to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the species...

The Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) endeavors to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the species they sustain through the development of innovative technologies, science-based conservation action, and community education and outreach. Recently, Indian River Community Foundation awarded ORCA a discretionary grant of $50,000 for their capital campaign. As ORCA's applied science and citizen...

The Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) endeavors to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the species they sustain through the development of innovative technologies, science-based conservation action, and community education and outreach. ORCA is committed to returning the Indian River Lagoon to a vibrant, healthy estuary teaming with wildlife and free of pollution. The...

The Ocean Research and Conservation Association (“ORCA”) has a mission to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and the species they sustain through the development of innovative technologies, science-based conservation action, and community education and outreach. Over the past decade, Indian River Community Foundation (“Community Foundation”) has distributed over $529,000 from the Community Enrichment Fund and...

Our visit to ORCA's new Center for Citizen Science was nothing short of impressive. The lab, previously used for groundwater treatment and monitoring, will be put to use again after eight vacant years. The location of this facility will provide more opportunities for programs with local partnerships and a greater capacity to the Indian River...

By Jaci Ruppert Indian River Community Foundation recently issued a grant to Ocean, Research, Conservation Association (ORCA) to fund a project called “Reclaiming our Indian River Lagoon”.  The funds are being used to identify sources of pollution using muck traps. We recently had a chance to ride along with an ORCA team of Research Assistants,...

Indian River Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $235,000 to six nonprofit charitable organizations serving Indian River County. The grants were reviewed by a Grants Committee comprised of volunteers Suzanne Bertman, Pat Brier, and Dawn Michael. The grants were awarded from the Community Enrichment Fund and included the following: While most of the Community Foundation’s grants...