Save Dolphins Dying from Nitrogen-fed Algae Blooms

Dolphins have been dying at record high rates in Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Since January 54 bottlenose dolphins have died. This is almost three times the historical average.  Two weeks ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service declared the deaths as an "Unusual Mortality Event" and it's not over. Dead dolphins are being found emaciated, starved from a lack of food, and sick.   

The Indian River Lagoon is under assault from nitrogen-fed algal blooms. Brown algal blooms have killed two-thirds of the sea grass. Sea grass beds provide a nursery for fish and food for manatees. 112 manatees have died this year. They are being found with stomachs full of algae.  To stop the deaths and clean the waters, we must lessen the nitrogen entering the Lagoon.   

We are building broad, diverse coalitions calling for lawn-fertilizer ordinances to reduce nitrogen pollution. We will be at the Friends of Nature Music Festival in Miami this November, educating the public about what they can do to stop nitrogen pollution. We had success in Martin County, and when we are a majority, other counties will act for responsible stewardship of lawns to save the dolphins.   

You can save dolphins by making a contribution.  Your support will help us gain more voices calling on decision-makers to enact laws to stop nitrogen pollution from excess lawn fertilizer use.   

Please make a summer gift of $10 today! Your gift of this amount will cover the costs of gaining two more people in our campaign.