New Satellite Beach Youth Council focuses on lagoon cleanups, outreach and community events

Members of the Satellite Beach Youth Council spent the latter part of their first meeting brainstorming projects and priorities they want to pursue in the coming months.

Ideas discussed included environmental actions for the Indian River Lagoon such as volunteer cleanups, oyster-mat placement and mangrove plantings, and an "adopt-a-drain" or storm-drain mural program to raise awareness that storm drains feed the lagoon. Council members also discussed outreach strategies using Instagram (aimed at youth) and Facebook (to reach parents and the broader community) and proposed posters, videos and trivia-style social-media content to drive engagement.

Serena Videla, an alternate member, offered to take minutes and suggested poster and messaging ideas to spark community interest. Dominic Montanaro and City Manager Courtney Barker told the council staff can provide contacts, limited seed funding and technical support for project planning and public records requirements. Members also discussed practical steps such as coordinating with the city's sustainability and beautification boards and partnering with schools and groups like PAL and the Brevard Zoo for volunteer recruitment and seed or resource access.

Other suggested initiatives included refillable water-bottle stations at schools to reduce single-use plastic, participation in the Ocean Reef Festival to promote the new council, youth-focused presentations tied to public-safety campaigns and seasonal volunteer events organized with the city's fire and recreation departments. The group agreed to draft vision and mission ideas, create shirt designs and return to the next meeting with specific proposals for votes.