For residents of Vero Beach and the surrounding Treasure Coast, the health of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is inextricably linked to our local lifestyle, real estate values, and environmental heritage. As we navigate ongoing ecological challenges, The Emerson Center is offering a crucial opportunity to learn about the frontline efforts to protect our waterways’ most iconic inhabitants.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Emerson E-Series will present a vital lecture titled Marine Mammals at Risk: The Fight to Save IRL Dolphins and Manatees. This event promises to provide a deep dive into the status of the lagoon’s ecosystem and the science being utilized to restore it.
The evening will feature Dr. Jeff Eble, the Florida Program Director at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI). With the lagoon suffering from more than a decade of harmful algal blooms and significant seagrass loss, the local populations of dolphins and manatees have faced unprecedented risks. Dr. Eble’s presentation will go behind the scenes of the response efforts, detailing how scientific research is being paired with rapid-response rescue missions to save these animals.
Beyond the challenges, the lecture will focus on solutions and hope. Attendees will learn about innovative aquaculture projects designed to support habitat recovery and hear real-life stories from the field. The discussion will highlight how community action, combined with rigorous science, is shaping a healthier future for the estuary that defines our region.
The presentation will explore how HSWRI is addressing ecological challenges through scientific research, rapid-response rescue missions, and innovative aquaculture projects that support habitat recovery.
This event is part of the acclaimed Emerson E-Series, a lineup dedicated to educating and entertaining the Vero Beach community. The 2026 series is proudly sponsored by the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County, a local non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of our waterways.
While admission to the lecture is free, a suggested donation of $10 is appreciated to support the continued programming at the venue. Doors will open one hour prior to the event, giving attendees ample time to find seating.
Event Essentials:
- Event: E-Series Lecture: Marine Mammals at Risk: The Fight to Save IRL Dolphins and Manatees
- Speaker: Dr. Jeff Eble, Florida Program Director, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
- Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
- Location: The Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960
- Cost: Free (Suggested donation of $10)
The Emerson Center, located at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, continues to serve as the area’s premier venue for thought-provoking dialogue. For locals passionate about the environment and the preservation of the Indian River Lagoon, this is an event that should not be missed.
