SEBASTIAN, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harris Corporation is boosting efforts to improve the Indian River Lagoon’s health by partnering with the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) in its conservation and protection efforts.
The IRLNEP board voted Friday to add Harris to the IRL-Innovators and Investors network (IRL-I2), which includes industry and community groups dedicated to taking an active role in achieving the goals of a clean and healthy ecosystem. Harris (NYSE:HRS) is now the largest industry partner to join the IRL-I2.
The Indian River Lagoon is one of 28 Estuaries of National Significance designated under the National Estuary Program, a non-regulatory, community-based effort established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1987. The IRLNEP connects policy makers, resource managers, communities, scientists and citizens who work to conserve and improve the lagoon.
Members of IRL-I2 work to link innovation in thought, knowledge, science and technology to identify and implement solutions to the complex problems the lagoon faces. In recent years, algae blooms have been a recurring symptom of issues caused primarily by excessive nutrient inputs from muck (a black ooze containing silt and clay mixed with decaying plant and animal material), septic tank effluent and fertilizers that get introduced into the lagoon by storm water runoff.
“The Indian River Lagoon is the lifeblood of communities along Florida’s East Coast that are home to Harris as well as thousands of employees,” said Tom Campbell, Harris Space and Intelligence Systems innovation director. “We are excited to partner with the IRLNEP and to work together to save this natural treasure.”
Harris is one of the largest public companies headquartered in Florida and has about 6,500 employees in 19 locations throughout the state, including about 6,000 in Brevard County. The company does $228 million in annual business with Florida suppliers and has contributed more than $13 million to community and academic organizations in the state over the last five years.
“We appreciate Harris Corporation stepping up to become a champion of the Indian River Lagoon,” IRLNEP Executive Director Duane De Freese said. “Stewardship of the Lagoon requires that we work together as a regional community. Partnership with industry leaders like Harris Corporation provides exciting opportunities for innovation, technology development and employee volunteer initiatives.”
About Harris Corporation
Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $7.5 billion in annual revenue and 21,000 employees worldwide. The company is organized into four business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems, Electronic Systems and Critical Networks. Learn more at harris.com.
About the IRLNEP
The IRLNEP is a non-regulatory, community-based program established to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon. The IRLNEP is sponsored locally by the IRL Council, and includes representatives of the five counties bordering the lagoon (Volusia, Brevard, the Indian River County Lagoon Coalition, St. Lucie and Martin counties), the St. Johns River and South Florida Water Management Districts, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). More information is available at irlcouncil.com.
