"Our Waters-Our Future" is the title of a "community conversation" next month about the Treasure Coast environment, featuring a local MacArthur Fellow and deep-sea explorer.
Edie Widder, head of the nonprofit Ocean Research & Conservation Association in Fort Pierce, is also heavily involved in studying Indian River Lagoon water quality.
ORCA developed water quality sensors, called Kilroys, that monitor such water conditions as temperature, depth, clarity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, nitrates, phosphates and acidity. The real-time data is posted on the ORCA website.
Widder has a "commitment to reversing the worldwide trend of marine ecosystem degradation," according to a flier for the March 10 talk she's giving.
The conversation will be moderated by Eve Samples, former opinion and engagement editor for the USA TODAY Network-Florida, who took the helm of Friends of the Everglades in February.
Joining Widder on the panel will be environment reporter Tyler Treadway of TCPalm, part of the USA TODAY Network-Florida with 34 daily and weekly newspapers in the state. Treadway focuses on the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee discharges' effect on Treasure Coast waters.
TCPalm is co-sponsoring the event with the Florida Oceanographic Society and the Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie.
Event tickets
When: 7 p.m. March 10
Where: Rappaport Center at Temple Beit HaYam, 951 S.E. Monterey Commons Blvd., Stuart
Cost: $35; call for student pricing
Online: tbhfl.org
Information: 772-286-9292