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The Indian River Lakes are more than just water. They’re part of our community’s heartbeat. They connect families, friends, and neighbors, and they provide a home for wildlife that depends on clean, healthy lakes to thrive. At the Indian River Lakes Conservancy (IRLC), we know that protecting these lakes starts with listening to the people who know them best: the residents, visitors, and lake lovers who cherish them every day.

This winter, we have been working behind the scenes to bring you the much-anticipated Love of the Lakes survey in partnership with the Center for Community Studies (CCS) at Jefferson Community College (SUNY). John O’Driscoll, IRLC Board Chair, reflected on the importance of having JCC involved in the process:

“Getting the folks from JCC involved takes this survey to another level. Since 1999, the Center for Community Studies has completed hundreds of research surveys for the community and for private companies. The Center ties professional knowledge from full-time faculty members to students’ learning statistics and mathematics to clients in the region who need data to solve real-world problems. Everyone who has an interest in the Indian River Lakes will get extremely detailed survey results that would have not been possible had we not partnered with the Center for Community Studies.”

Starting late January to February 15, 2026, the IRLC community be invited to share your thoughts via a mailed postcard with a QR code or an email link—simple, convenient ways to make sure your perspective is counted.

“I am most interested in this survey revealing the concerns lake users have about the lakes,” says Andrea Inserra, a dedicated IRLC volunteer and grant collaborator, “With the data collected, we can connect individual lake associations with the right organizations to help them tackle their unique environmental challenges.”

The survey isn’t just data collection, it’s a springboard for action. Your input will help guide the 2026 IRLC Water Quality Conference, shaping conversations, priorities, and solutions that directly impact the lakes.

“Inspiring change on a problem like this is no easy task,” reflects Ed Robertson, IRLC Board Member, “but the approaches the IRLC is offering sound exactly right. To leave our lakes to the next generations in as good—or better—condition than what we inherited is surely a goal worthy of the effort.”

Participation in the survey also strengthens the community itself. As responses come in, IRLC is looking to create a Water Quality Advisory Council, giving lake residents a seat at the table in shaping conservation strategies. As Dave Champagne, a longtime natural resources expert, notes:

“The survey may be the beginning of more involvement, including assisting and collaborating with individual lake organizations. Appropriate presentation of the survey results will be key, so residents see that this is a shared effort—not just experts telling them what to do.”

This is your chance to make your voice matter. Every observation, idea, and concern shared through the survey helps IRLC develop strategies, identify resources, and strengthen partnerships across the lakes communities.

This project is made possible through a grant from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program. Together, we’re building a network of people who care deeply about the health of the Indian River Lakes and are ready to act to protect them—for people, for wildlife, forever.

So, watch for your postcard, check your inbox, and take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences. Whether you live on the shore, visit on weekends, or simply love these lakes from afar, your perspective is essential. Together, we can ensure the Indian River Lakes remain vibrant, healthy, and cherished for generations to come.