DeSantis Awards $100 Million to Protect North America’s ‘Most Biologically Diverse’ Estuary

The 156-mile-long Indian River Lagoon is home to over 5,000 unique animal and plant species, including large populations of sea turtles and manatees.

Florida's Indian River Lagoon accounts for 27 percent of the state's salt marshes, 685 species of fish, 370 species of birds, 2,200 animal species, and 2,100 plant species. Courtesy of Florida State Parks

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $100 million for water quality projects to restore the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), a 156-mile-long region that comprises a third of the state’s Atlantic coastline and is considered North America’s most biologically diverse estuary.

This move comes on the heels of Executive Order 23-06, signed by Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, in January 2023.