Florida Master Naturalist: Environmental Interpretation Course Open for Enrollment

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/16/2026 4:45:50 PM

BREVARD COUNTY, FL – The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) will offer an Environmental Interpretation course in Brevard County this May, designed for anyone interested in Florida’s ecosystems and conservation education.

This in-person course will take place on Fridays and Saturdays, May 1 through May 9. Participants will learn the fundamentals of environmental interpretation, including group management, developing interpretive displays, and effective communication techniques.

Registration fees start at $250 per person. Space is limited, and registration closes at noon on April 27. For course details, including the agenda and registration information, visit the Environmental Interpretation-Florida Master Naturalist Program webpage. 

Not familiar with the Florida Master Naturalist program? Watch this short video about the program on our YouTube channel: UF/IFAS Brevard Extension YouTube Video

If you have any questions, please contact us at (321) 633-1702 or email Brevard@ifas.ulf.edu

For more of our classes and programs, visit the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Eventbrite page.

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs. Equal Opportunity Institution

Halley Heribacka
Family and Consumer Sciences Program Assistant
(321) 633-1702
Hheribacka@ufl.edu

Grand Opening for The Amphitheatre at Veterans Memorial Park Set for April 23

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/16/2026 4:04:49 PM

MERRITT ISLAND, FL— The Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, in partnership with the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department, will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 23, for the recently completed Amphitheater at Veterans Memorial Park. The event is scheduled from 4:30-6 p.m.

The communitywide celebration will feature the Veterans Memorial Center Color Guard and flag raising, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, remarks by elected officials and local leaders, a performance by the Space Coast Symphony’s Jazz Orchestra -- the first musicians to officially take the stage -- and light refreshments.

The community is invited and encouraged to attend. Seating is limited, so bringing a lawn chair or blanket is suggested.

The Amphitheatre at Veterans Memorial Park is located at 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island, 32953.

For questions regarding the ribbon-cutting event, please contact the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency at (321) 454-6610. For questions regarding renting the facility, please contact the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Central Area Parks Operations office at (321) 633-1874.

Don Walker
Communications Director
(321) 305-9194
don.walker@brevardfl.gov

Annual Brevard County 4-H Fair and Market Poultry Auction

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/15/2026 8:55:07 AM

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – Don't miss the annual 4-H Fair & Market Poultry Auction, a free event showcasing the hard work and talents of local 4-H youth. Attendees can view project exhibits, participate in a silent auction, and bid on market poultry during the live auction. The fair and auction will take place at the UF/IFAS Extension office located at 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL 32926, on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information on this event, visit the Brevard County 4-H Fair Eventbrite page.

The 4-H Fair highlights a variety of youth projects. 4-H provides valuable opportunities for young people to develop life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving.
For the past eight months, 4-H members have been raising their chicks in preparation for this event. This year, Buff Orpington hens will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the youth to support their future animal projects.

Interested in becoming a 4-H sponsor? Learn more on our Brevard 4-H Sponsor page.

If you have any questions, please call our office at (321) 633-1702 or email brevard@ifas.ufl.edu

Learn about all of our classes and programs by visiting the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Eventbrite page.

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at Brevard@IFAS.UFL.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Halley Heribacka
Family and Consumer Science Program Assistant
(321) 633-1702
Hheribacka@ufl.edu

Bees, Plants & Family Fun: Spring Fling Festival April 25

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/15/2026 8:47:39 AM

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – Join us for a free, family-friendly garden festival celebrating plants, pollinators, and Florida-Friendly landscapes! The 4th Annual Spring Fling Plant Sale and Bees, Butterflies & Blooms Festival is a special collaboration between the UF/IFAS Brevard Discovery Garden and Brevard Backyard Beekeepers. For the first time, these two popular spring events will come together to create one unforgettable community event featuring native plants, education, hands-on adult and kids activities, local vendors, and food trucks.

Stop by Saturday, April 25, from 9 am - 3 pm at 3695 Lake Dr., Cocoa, FL 32926. 

Learn more about this event and RSVP on the 4th Annual Spring Fling Eventbrite page.

Follow the Brevard Discovery Garden on Facebook for updates, educational information, and future events.

To see more of our classes, events, and programs, visit the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Eventbrite page.

If you have any questions, please call us at (321) 633-1702 or email brevard@ifas.ufl.edu

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at Brevard@IFAS.UFL.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Halley Heribacka
Family and Consumer Science Program Assistant
(321) 633-1702
Hheribacka@ufl.edu

Brevard County Launches Development Platform for Residents and Business Owners

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/13/2026 10:06:30 AM

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. -- The Brevard County Planning and Development Department is pleased to announce the launch of its new digital permitting platform, Permit Assist. 
Permit Assist allows homeowners and business owners the ability to navigate improvement projects by viewing permit requirements, zoning regulations, and the necessary fees involved, all from the convenience of your own home or office.

Interested in starting a business? The Permit Assist Zoning Portal will provide you with information on where you can locate your business and the Commercial Portal will assist in calculating the permits and licenses necessary to open your business. 

Do you want to make an improvement to your home but don’t know where to start? The Permit Assist Residential Portal will simply ask what work you would like to complete and will provide information on the documents and fees necessary to move forward.

Whether you are looking to renovate your kitchen or building from the ground up, Permit Assist can provide the tools necessary to get your project underway. 

Visit Permit Assist to get started on your next project today!

Rachel Horst
Public Information Officer
(321) 634-2165
rachel.horst@brevardfl.gov

Satellite Beach Public Library to host 60th Anniversary Celebration

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/6/2026 2:47:40 PM

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – The Satellite Beach Public Library is excited to invite the community to its 60th Anniversary Celebration!  With music, games, refreshments, and big trucks, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.  This free, family-friendly event will be hosted on Thursday, April 23, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Satellite Beach Public Library.

The Satellite Beach Public Library opened its doors in April 1966, thanks to the efforts of the Satellite Beach Women’s Club and Satellite Beach Lions Club.  For 6 decades, this branch of the Brevard County Library System has grown and adapted to meet the needs of its local community.  Today, the Satellite Beach Public Library continues to offer amazing programs and services that they hope you will explore while celebrating their 60th anniversary!

Attendees will be able to enjoy a musical performance by John Henry Goodman, a Silent Disco with 60s & 70s music, games and activities, and the Mobile Library!  Community partners, including the Friends of the Satellite Beach Public Library, Satellite Beach Woman’s Club, UF/IFAS Brevard Extension Master Gardeners, Satellite Beach Recreation and 55+ Club, artist Dawn Harrell, and the Space Coast Therapy Dogs, will also be in attendance.  The excitement will continue outside with visits from big trucks courtesy of Space Coast Area Transit and the Satellite Beach Fire Department!

The Satellite Beach Public Library will also have an area for attendees to tell their library story.  This activity is part of a larger project called Your Library, Your Story, and is organized by Brevard County Library Services.  Your Library, Your Story is an exciting opportunity for library visitors to share how the library has positively impacted their lives.  Designated Your Library, Your Story areas are set up in all 17 Brevard County Library locations for library visitors to share their stories.

For more information about their 60th Anniversary Celebration, please call the Satellite Beach Public Library at (321) 779-4004.

Morgan Roth
Library Operations Specialist
(321) 633-1801
mroth@brev.org

Brevard County Advancing Lagoon Restoration Project Near Eau Gallie Causeway

 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/6/2026 1:57:47 PM

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. — Brevard County is moving forward with an important project to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon near the Eau Gallie Causeway, funded through the voter-approved Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) Program and Florida Department of Environmental Protection grants.

The Eau Gallie Northeast Muck Removal Project targets a muck pit located just northeast of the Eau Gallie Causeway, where decades of excess nutrient and organic-matter loading have resulted in the accumulation of organic-rich muck sediments. This material can cloud the water, lower oxygen levels, and harm fish, seagrass, and other wildlife.

Dredged material will be hydraulically pumped through an approximately 7-mile pipeline from the project area to a dredge material management area near Robert J. Conlan Blvd in Palm Bay, for dewatering.

Work is expected to begin in mid-April 2026 and continue through mid-2027.

What Residents and Boaters Need to Know

As construction gets underway, boaters traveling in the area should be aware of active dredging operations just northeast of the Eau Gallie Causeway and the pipeline extending from the dredge area and the dredge material management area outside the channel.

For safety, mariners are urged to:

• Use extreme caution when navigating near the project and dredge material management areas
  
• Travel at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake
  
• Be alert and follow directions from on-site crews
  
• Proceed carefully after passing arrangements have been made
  
  

Floating and submerged pipeline—used to move material from the project area to the processing site near Robert J. Conlan Blvd.—will be present in the water. This includes both high-density plastic and steel piping that may not always be fully visible.

Project Benefits

Once complete, the project will:

• Improve water clarity
  
• Increase oxygen levels for fish and marine life
  
• Support the return of seagrass and healthier habitats
• Help reduce algae blooms
  
  

This effort is part of Brevard County’s ongoing commitment to restoring and protecting the Indian River Lagoon for future generations.

For updates and more information, visit the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program webpage.

Rachel Horst
Public Information Officer
(321) 634-2165
rachel.horst@brevardfl.gov