What's New

Dear friends,

It’s surprising, isn’t it? We wait for summer throughout the long, cold months, dreaming of the boat wakes, the taut fishing lines, and the sun spilling through the tree branches. And, in a blink, it’s fall. Time just keeps passing, like quick moving storm clouds across the sky or ice cream melting on the cone. But they say time flies when you’re having fun, and it shaped up to be a great summer for the Indian River Lakes Conservancy, even without some of our usual programming:

• Our annual Water Quality Conference brought together almost 40 people at Redwood Hill Preserve. The Conference was informed by our Love of the Lakes survey, which received more than 400 responses. If you haven’t already, be sure to read the report and executive summary.

• We celebrated you, our wonderful donors, at our “Yellow Barn” celebration in July. In addition to fun times with good food and great friends, we had the opportunity to view the beautiful work of featured artists, including two of our fabulous volunteers, Gretchen Martin and Joan Applebaum.

• Even with smoke from the Canadian wildfires, our annual Elizabeth May Duvall Foundation Nature Grows Kids’ Camp welcomed 62 campers who were able to immerse themselves in learning about the natural world. Activities helped build confidence, curiosity, and respect for nature.

• In August, supporters gathered under the big tent at Thousand Islands Winery for The Celebration of the Lakes, a cornerstone of our annual fundraising strategy. Highlights of the afternoon included impact stories shared by Melanie Phillips, EMD Nature Kid’s Camp parent and volunteer, and Uriel Peguerra, Environmental Educator for the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, IRLC Project WHIRL participant, and IRLC Pioneer Scholarship winner.

• IRLC is growing: We received a land donation that will extend Redwood Hill Preserve another five acres! Now, this preserve will protect over 55 acres – forever – thanks to supporters like you.

• With so many great photos submitted, our community had a hard time choosing a winner for our spring photo contest. Congratulations to our winner Jennifer Sigmon whose photo adorns this Good News update. Thanks to all photographers who shared their time and talents with us.

You may have noticed that Project WHIRL, our teen environmental education program, was notably absent this summer. As much as IRLC loves to conserve land, work the trails, and nurture community, as a volunteer-led organization, sometimes we simply cannot do it all. However, that won’t stop us from trying! IRLC would love to bring WHIRL back for our young, curious minds, but we need your help to do it. To continue our work and programming as always, we need to raise a minimum of $150,000 in 2026 alone. We’re two-thirds of the way there, and every donation helps.

As we enter fall, our work mainly turns from the vibrant work of programming to the quiet, steady work of stewardship, preparing our preserves and trails for the winter ahead. However, we still have some exciting projects in the works, including one that would add over 1,000 feet of shoreline property on one of the lakes. And just this past weekend, our kayak trek on Millsite Lake and Fall Family Fun Day at Redwood Hill Preserve kicked off this new season.

Summer’s never quite long enough for our taste. But with your help, we made the most of it, continuing to dedicate our time and energy to the land and lakes we love. No matter if you’re sticking around for the cold weather or leaving town, we hope you’ll consider continuing to be with us in our work. No matter the amount, even a small contribution helps IRLC stay rooted in purpose so we can bloom more brightly in the spring.

Thanks for your continued support, and see you out on the trails!

Warm regards,

John O’Driscoll

Board Chair

P.S. By donating to IRLC this season, YOU allow us to serve the community in the same manner and depth we have in the past. Thank you.