Inside Port St. Lucie’s McCarty Ranch Water Quality Project

In this episode of One Lagoon, One Voice, host Caleta Scott speaks with Dan Burdett, Natural Resources Manager, and Jenny Tomes, Assistant Manager of Community Outreach for the City of Port St. Lucie. 

Together, they explain how the St. Lucie River C-23 Water Quality Project at McCarty Ranch Preserve and Extension is reducing excess freshwater discharges, capturing stormwater, and preventing nutrient pollution in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. The project also recharges aquifers and safeguards future drinking water supplies.

Beyond water management, the preserve offers camping, RV sites, disc golf, Bonfire Hayrides, and nature trails. Jenny’s creative “Water Woman” outreach initiative helps teach kids and adults why protecting local waterways matters.

This forward-thinking project shows how Port St. Lucie is balancing community growth with environmental stewardship.

Learn more about the St. Lucie River C23 Water Quality Project.

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