Stella Maris Environmental Research

Stella Maris Environmental Research, inc. is a 501(c)(3) not for-profit environmental research organization focused on bringing attention and solutions to current environmental issues with community action.

Support our programs today

Your donations and financial support allows us to continue offering marine and environmental-based research and education programs in Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. Your support goes directly into research and educational programs that allow youth to expand their minds and elicit changes in our local environment and planet.

WHY WE SERVE

While there are many environmentally focused companies and not for profits leaning into the environmental demands of natural Florida, greater attention is critical in many aspects. Wild spaces are shrinking at every turn and communities of people, plants and animals rely upon these areas for vital nourishment, especially locally. Water, air, food, shelter are all included in one integrated natural environment that we have blotted out. We are a part of food systems that cannot withstand a greater imbalance and these systems don't have to be subjected to degradation. As human beings, we have great power to make beautiful surroundings and as environmental stewards we can be conscientious of our planet. There is a large disconnect between our daily lives and our blue planet that is being remedied with missions like ours. We are cultivating seaside communities dedicated to coastal ecosystems and we are doing this in your backyard, join us.

How we serve

Our work is unique to the needs of our local and extended environment. Brevard County is home to the densest sea turtle nesting beaches in the world and expansive stretches of coastal ecosystems.

We are working alongside Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties, the State of Florida, and other organizations to expand sea turtle conservation and protection through nest digs, night walks, research and educational lectures. You might say "there are other organizations who do this too". Yes, there are and we as a coastal community have not yet met the needs for offering enough guided wildlife encounters or educational opportunities.
Night walks and daytime digs are Florida Fish and Wildlife marine turtle permitted activities that are meant to encourage sea turtle conservation by inviting the public but are limited in capacity in order to reduce impacts on the nesting habitats of these species and other marine life. We are honored to be permitted for these activities and provide educational opportunities the help conserve wildlife like our fellow organizations.

Our team meets the demands of coastal ecosystem management and stewardship through Our Eco and Science Explorer programs and eco camps. These are the only classes of its kind providing outdoor education focused on young growing imaginations. We focus heavily on propagating citizen scientists and inviting young people into our research and other programs, something unique to our mission. Our organization values individual minds and want they can offer, emphasizing human components to ecosystem management and health.
We thank you for choosing to explore with us and encouraging what makes us one of a kind!

Environmental Education

Empowering and teaching future scientists, citizen scientist and all people about the wonders of our environment and how to identify ways for becoming better environmental stewards. Check out our Eco Stars and Science Explorers Programs!

Schedule an Event

Scientific Data Collection

Every piece of information collected has an impact on how we interact with our shared environment.
We strive to create and propagate citizen scientists.

Sea Turtle involvement:

WALKS, RESEARCH AND NESTING EVALUATIONS.

Night Walks

LOGGERHEAD NEST DIGS

HATCHLING RESEARCH

Eco CampS

Camp Info

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Gathering information is important, and more so what is done with it. Interpretation can show how the environment is changing, and what direction is necessary for better management. Working with environmentally focused groups and authorities creates a more cohesive strategy to serve our ecosystems.

We earned a 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency! Learn more about our organization’s impact through our #NonprofitProfile on @CandidDotOrg:
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-3739298

"The above-named organization/sponsor has complied with the registration requirements of Chapter 496, Florida
Statutes, the Solicitation of Contributions Act. REGISTRATION#: CH64223
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-
7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE."