Dear parents and educators,

Question: What is 156 miles long, crosses six counties, has trees on stilts and underwater meadows, and contains more than 4,300 kinds of plants and animals?

Answer: The Indian River Lagoon.

What does the Indian River Lagoon mean to you? A place to escape to on weekends, a cool breeze, something that needs to be crossed to go to the beach, or a livelihood?

When asked what the lagoon meant to them, excited students raised their hands and exclaimed, “Jet skiing, boating, manatee watching, clamming and taking fishing trips with mom and dad.”

The lagoon is an important part of many people’s lives. However, the delicate balance of life that exists along the shoreline and underwater goes unnoticed by the majority of people using the lagoon. This delicate balance of life which makes the lagoon so productive is being threatened by pressures from Florida’s increasing population. This coloring book, entitled Aquatic Preserves Are Exceptional (also known as the Indian River Lagoon Coloring Book) is a student activity booklet designed to introduce children to some native plants and animals living in Florida’s various ecosystems. We encourage you to explore this booklet with your child and enhance your awareness of Florida’s natural resources.

— Rachel Carson
author of Silent Spring

Sincerely,
St. Johns River Water Management District
Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs