Episode Details

Birders and Beachers... we salute you! 2MC is tackling the topics you like to talk about the most. It's all things Martin County, all the time!

0:00 | Intro
0:43 | Gov Delivery
1:48 | Shoreline Protection
5:15 | Living Shoreline Project
6:57 | Lend a Hand
7:29 | House of Refuge
9:44 | Birding Excursion
11:08 | Mosquito Control
12:01 | Community Movie Night
12:44 | Outro

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Board Meeting: April 21 - https://martin.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx             

Hutchinson Island Shore Protection Project: Last project was in 2018

The Federal Shore Protection Project includes nourishment of the northern 4 miles of Atlantic Coast beach in Martin County, including dune reconstruction and planting.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Crews plan to use 360,000 cubic yards of beach‑compatible sand dredged from a local offshore borrow area to construct a dune and beach berm along 4 miles of shoreline on Hutchinson Island. Work also includes endangered species monitoring and other environmental compliance measures.

Construction is scheduled during the environmental window of November 1 through April 30 to avoid impacts to nesting sea turtles. Ecological Associates, Inc. will identify and relocate sea turtle nests before and during construction, and the contractor will perform this work during construction.

The project is funded through Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) funds following damages from Hurricane Nicole in 2022. While the storm caused significant erosion along portions of Florida’s coast, USACE assessments found that the federal shore protection project performed as designed.

Federal shore protection projects are engineered to reduce coastal storm risk by absorbing wave energy and allowing beaches to erode during storms while protecting roads, critical infrastructure, and homes. In addition to supporting economic stability and tourism, beach renourishment restores essential habitat for shorebirds and marine turtles.

Learn more about beach nourishment at https://www.martin.fl.us/beach-nourishment

Indian Riverside Park Living Shoreline

Design consists of native materials to stabilize the shoreline, maintain public access, and restore critical habitat. The living shoreline will restore nearly 2 acres of seagrass habitat. The 24 breakwaters are under construction and the toe stone has begun to be installed at the base of the mangroves. Should be completed by end of Summer 2026. https://owl.martin.fl.us/app/f?p=301:2:11407595437413::::P2_LIST_GROUP_ID,P2_LIST_ID:100,8116

Lend a Hand: Need a helping hand? Martin County’s Lend a Hand program has funds available to help qualifying Martin County Utilities customers who ae experiencing a financial hardship pay their water bill. https://www.martin.fl.us/martin-county-services/emergency-financial-assistance

House of Refuge: House of Refuge, the county's oldest building, dating back to 1876.

This nationally recognized historical site site has survived 150 years and 75 major storms, but it recently required significant repairs.

Guided Birding Excursion: Join Explore Natural Martin April 20, 8am, at Allapattah Flats for a guided birding adventure through a scenic tropical forest. This event is perfect for birders of any level! Free event, registration required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-natural-martin-seasonal-birding-series-hardwood-hammock-tickets-1748319714329?aff=oddtdtcreator 

 
Tire Round Up – Mosquito Control:
 • Open to Martin County residents
• Limit of ten (10) passenger vehicle tires per household
• Commercial and tractor tires will not be accepted
• No appointment necessary. Staff will be on-site to assist

Drop-Off Schedule (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.): Saturdays
• April 18, 2026 | Post Family Park, I