B-CU Department of Integrated Environmental Science to Host Indian River Lagoon Master Class

Protect Our Lagoon Academy

Dates: Monday, July 8 – Saturday, July 13, 2019

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Bethune-Cookman University BJ Moore Center for Faculty Innovation

DAYTONA BEACH, FL- Bethune-Cookman University maintains an ongoing commitment to water quality research and important roles in the State of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon community. The Indian River Lagoon spans 156 miles, approximately 40 percent, of Florida's east coast, and is one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America.

From Monday, July 8 through Saturday, July 13, 2019, B-CU will host the Protect Our Lagoon Academy (POLA), a six-day course taught by invited speakers who are experts/stakeholders in the Indian River Lagoon system. Twenty participants from various organizations will attend and complete the course at the B.J. Moore Center for Faculty Innovation on the campus of B-CU.

“The Academy will cover the science, challenges, solutions, public policy and advocacy considerations of water quality and healthy habitats,” said Dr. Hyun Jung Cho, B-CU professor of integrated environmental science. “Those participating in the six-day course will gain valuable knowledge and understanding to educate others on behalf of the Indian River Lagoon after the course’s completion.”

The Protect Our Lagoon Academy is designed to train-the-trainer. Not limited to classroom lectures, the Academy will include field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on, feet-wet learning to provide the ultimate professional development experience. Completion of the course enables participants to become certified as a Lagoon Ambassador. The cost is free for college professors, teachers, or Project H2O members, local government employees included. The training is made possible by an Indian River Lagoon Council grant.

Previously, the POLA was hosted by the Marine Discovery Center (MDC) in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, as an offshoot of MDC’s Project H2O, designed to promote healthy habitat through outreach. This year, the Indian River Lagoon Council and National Estuary Program (NEP) funding allows it be hosted by B-CU.

For details or questions regarding Protect Our Lagoon Academy, please contact Dr. Cho at choh@cookman.edu or 386-481- 2793; or Kelli McGee, president, Natua Strategies at 310-497-1653.

The BJ Moore Center for Faculty Innovation is located on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University at 248 North Lincoln Street; Daytona Beach, FL 32114. For more information, contact the Center at 386-481-2718.