Eyes on Seagrass Blitz in the Indian River Lagoon

There are two ways to submit data:  

1. Online Form: Visit bit.ly/ReportSeaGrass then choose “Open in Browser” and fill out the form through the website and submit.   

1.  Survey123 App: Download the ArcGIS Survey123 app in your phone’s app store. Visit bit.ly/ReportSeaGrass then choose “Open in the Survey123 field app” and fill out the form through the app and submit. You do not need to create an account to use the app; when the app opens, choose “Continue without signing in.” 

Why would I want to use the app?   

The app will save your data even if there is no cell service so that you can submit it later.  If you plan to submit multiple sightings or know that you visit areas with poor cell service, we recommend using the app. Download the app and access the form via the link once before heading out on the water. After you have accessed the form via the link for the first time, you can then open the app to access the form directly.     

While you are out on the water:  

1. Head out to wherever you usually boat or paddle.  Note that seagrass may grow in shallow water, so be sure to take care if you are in a motor vessel.  Travel at a slow speed and trim up your engine when necessary to avoid damaging seagrass.
2. Access the online form via bit.ly/ReportSeaGrass or through the Survey123 app. If using the Survey123 app, click “Continue without signing in” and then click on the Eyes on Seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon survey. Click the “Collect” button at the bottom and it will open the survey form.
3. Fill out the information in the form and take a photo of the seafloor – whether that is of seagrass or an absence of seagrass.  Only report an absence sighting if you can see all the way to the seafloor to confirm there is no seagrass.  Take a photo from overhead, looking down such that you can see an area of about 3 x 3 feet in size.  If present, take a second close-up photo of the seagrass to assist with species identification. 
4. Answer the additional questions to the best of your ability, then click “submit” on the website or click the checkmark in the bottom right corner of the app form to submit the data.   

Thank you for participating!  You can submit as many sightings as you would like in the month of May.  Remember that we also want to know where seagrass isn’t, so seagrass absence sightings are just as important as seagrass presence sightings.