For years, Brevard Zoo’s conservation team has been answering the call to restore one of the U.S.’s most biodiverse estuaries: the Indian River Lagoon. Now, MANG is answering that call as well, partnering with the Zoo’s conservation team to collect, grow, and plant mangroves in the Lagoon. To support the restoration of living coastlines in this vital piece of Florida’s ecosystem, MANG and the Brevard Zoo have launched an exclusive Restore Our Shores apparel collection, with 10% of all proceeds from the collection directly funding their collaborative restoration efforts.
“Every ecosystem has a heartbeat, and in the case of Florida’s coastline, mangroves, oysters and seagrass are keystone ecological species,” says Kyle Rossin, MANG CEO and co-founder. “MANG and Brevard Zoo understand the heartbeat of Florida’s ecosystem, and we’re so honored to be partnering with such an incredible organization who has been on the ground rebuilding coastlines in Brevard County for years. Together, we will continue fighting to restore the Indian River Lagoon for our future generations.”
Understanding the interconnectedness of plant and animal life is at the center of MANG and the Zoo’s environmental restoration, and it is the creative concept that together inspired the apparel collection, as well. Jody Palmer, Director of Conservation at Brevard Zoo, said, “The team behind MANG are true conservation heroes, and those are the types of organizations I strive to support in my personal and professional purchases. When given the opportunity for my department at Brevard Zoo to partner with MANG, I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.”
MANG will not only be supporting the Zoo’s restoration efforts directly, but also growing mangroves at the MANG nursery for future planting projects. “Our partnership is a way to bring about real conservation action,” said Brevard Zoo Conservation Curator Ashley Rearden. “The Zoo is a drop off location for mangrove propagules, and MANG will pick them up to grow at their headquarters in West Palm Beach for use in future Indian River Lagoon restoration projects, many of which are facilitated by Brevard Zoo. It really is a great partnership for both organizations.”
Over the last 50 years, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has become so polluted that the increased levels of nutrients, runoff and nitrogen have killed seagrasses, created algae blooms, and destroyed biodiversity. The IRL actually comprises 40% of Florida’s eastern coastline, which makes the lagoon’s water quality and biodiversity a critical component of Florida’s overall environmental health. By partnering together to focus on mangrove restoration, the Zoo and MANG will be able to have a larger impact on holistic ecological restoration in Brevard County and Florida at large. Brevard Zoo has actively been cultivating living coastlines of oyster beds, mangroves, and sea grasses for years, working to reverse decades of human and environmental impact on the lagoon.