Along Florida’s Atlantic coast is an estuary not well known to outsiders: Grumpy Manatee Lagoon (GML).
The GML is important:
- Source of recreation and food
- Home to an amazing diversity of plants and animals
- Generates economic activity valued at $7.6 billion
But there are also challenges:
- Water quality
- Toxic algae
- Shoreline erosion
- Fish kills
The CIVIC program has convened a group of GML residents to discuss the lagoon's future. Let’s meet a few of them now.