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Date: June 10, 2021 <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM <br />Parks & Recreation / <br />Department of General Services <br />To: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator <br />Thru: Michael C. Zito, Assistant County Administrator <br />Dylan Reingold, County Attorney <br />Kevin Kirwin, Director Parks & Recreation <br />From: Beth Powell, Asst. Director Parks & Conservation Resources <br />Subject: Notice of Grant Award from the Indian River Lagoon Council — Small Grants <br />Program Contract Number 2021SG-06 <br />DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS <br />Over the last four years staff has been working on the development and implementation of <br />improvements to the Jones' Pier Conservation Area, which include repairs from Hurricane <br />Matthew. These public use improvements include: a living shoreline project; creation of a 4 -acre <br />saltmarsh; restoration of coastal hammock; trails and boardwalks; picnic/restroom facilities; and <br />renovation of the historic buildings on site. Future plans for the small concrete cottage on site were <br />identified as renovating and re -purposing the building to accommodate a facility for staff, <br />volunteers, docents and researchers associated with projects and volunteer work. As part of this <br />effort, staff has been developing working relationships with project partners, scientific <br />organizations, and academic groups with the goal of promoting environmental education and <br />research opportunities. To that end, County staff met with Indian River State College's (IRSC) <br />Biological Sciences Department staff to discuss opportunities for their environmental and marine <br />science students to complete research projects within the County's various conservation areas. <br />The IRLNEP Small Projects Grant will provide funding towards the conversion of the kitchen <br />within the concrete cottage into a wet lab suitable for use by the IRSC students, as well as for future <br />science organizations and school groups. The grant provides funding for equipment and kitchen <br />improvements that will be completed using staff, student groups, and volunteer assistance. More <br />specifically, this project will include the purchase of a refrigerator, dissecting microscope, <br />macroinvertebrate sampling equipment, materials to build storage shelving, and a new countertop. <br />The County has recently re -roofed the building, and is making additional minor repairs as part of <br />the overall improvements to the site. Upon completion of the renovation, the IRSC students will <br />be completing ecological sampling and assessment on the site and within the adjacent Lagoon. <br />1 <br />6 <br />