Our Mission

To protect, restore, and preserve the environmental integrity of the Jupiter Narrows marine ecosystem and its surrounding environment.

Our Vision

To stabilize and restore the iconic mangrove islands and seagrass beds that are the backbone of the Jupiter Narrows ecosystem.

Our Approach

We are committed to stabilizing the rapid decline of mangrove and seagrasses and restoring the coverage of these critical habitats to historic levels. We are doing this by engaging government agencies, NGOs, local businesses, guides, scientists, and passionate residents to develop a sustainable, community-led approach towards long-term preservation. Using evidence-based, scientific methods to mitigate wave activity, combined with educating the public on how to be stewards of their public wilderness areas, we believe we can secure the future health of the ecosystem and ensure that outdoor enthusiasts of all forms can enjoy these areas for generations to come.

Our Location

 

Indian River Lagoon

Tequesta, FL

Jupiter Narrows

Loxahatchee River

Atlantic Ocean

Jupiter Inlet

Our Community

Since 2021, our team and our efforts have grown tremendously. What began as a single call to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has since sprouted into a widespread, multi-faceted effort to save what we love so dearly. We reached out to many people and organizations who we thought might be able to help. We knew this would “take a village,” as well as persistence and grit. 

In March of 2023, we hosted an open meeting for neighbors along the intracoastal who share our concern about the mangrove decline. We heard presentations/comments from FWC, Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management (PBC ERM), Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (JILONA - part of Federal Bureau of Land Management), and the Village of Tequesta Environmental Advisory Group (VoT). It was evident at that meeting and subsequent gatherings that our community is committed to doing something to protect and restore this ecologically and economically important habitat. 

Since then, we have been fortunate to attract the attention and interest of many government agencies, NGO’s, local businesses, scientists, recreational groups, educators, elected officials, and residents who want to help. Starting initially at the local Jupiter level, our network quickly expanded to include individuals and organizations across the county, greater South Florida, as well as the state. 

In Spring of 2023, we partnered with the Ocean Conservancy (OC) which  shares our passion for preserving the mangrove ecosystem in the Indian River Lagoon. This partnership has been a game changer. Ocean Conservancy brings tremendous expertise, science, legal advice, advocacy prowess and credibility to the project. As the nation’s oldest marine conservation organization, they simply know how to get things done. 

JNCA was officially incorporated as a FL non-profit with 501(c)(3) status in January of 2024. Since then we have support in the form of letters, contributions, endorsements, and/or advice from Village of Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves (part of FL Department of Environmental Protection), Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (JILONA - part of Federal Bureau of Land Management), U.S. Representative Brian Mast, Ocean Conservancy, Andrew "Red" Harris Foundation, West Palm Beach Fishing Club, Sustainable Palm Beach County, Get Up and Go Kayaks, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Beach Road Association, 1000 Friends of FL, Guardians of Martin County, Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative, and several nearby condominium associations. And our community continues to grow.

Milestones

  • March 2023 - Met with neighbors and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management, Bureau of Land Management, and Village of Tequesta Environmental Advisory Committee

  • May 2023 - Partnered with Ocean Conservancy

  • June 2023 - Published op-ed in Palm Beach Post and The Invading Sea

  • July 2023 - Surveyed neighbors to understand their interest in this project

  • August - October 2023 - Hired Taylor Engineering to conduct a natural resources survey of the seagrasses and mangroves, then to develop conceptual plans for protection and restoration and to conduct preliminary permitting discussions

  • January 2024 - Established Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance (JNCA) as a Florida not-for-profit corporation and applied for 501(c)3 status

  • March 2024 - Media Day - Invited press and neighbors to waterfront to formally launch JNCA

  • March 2024 - Presented to Village of Tequesta Council and got their unanimous support and a letter of resolution supporting our efforts. Since then we have entered a public-private partnership, and as our municipal partner, they have submitted grant applications on our behalf

  • March 2024 - Began permitting and planning process for informational buoys and signage

  • April 2024 - Attended the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Jupiter Lighthouse to share informational materials about JNCA’s efforts

  • May 2024 - Received 501(c)(3) status from IRS

  • May 2024 - Installed signs/banner on private dock pilings/ seawalls of all condos along Jupiter Narrows to ask people to exercise caution around mangrove islands and seagrasses and raise awareness for restoration efforts

  • Summer 2024 - received formal letters of support from PBC - Environmental Resources Management, Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves (part of FDEP), Sustainable Palm Beach County, and WPB Fishing Club, representing over 1600 members

  • November 2024 - Media Day #2 - Announced formal partnerships with Village of Tequesta and the Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation (ARHF). ARHF has committed $275,000 to the project. JNCA worked to name the islands in memoriam for Andrew “Red” Harris

  • May 2025 - Welcomed Dr. Lisa Krimsky to our Board. As a local resident and an expert in protecting south Florida's coastal waters and environments, Lisa is a tremendous asset to our efforts

  • Spring - Fall 2025 - received unanimous support from Town of Jupiter, PBC Commissioners, and Jupiter Inlet Colony

  • Fall 2025 - developed partnership with JERFSA (Jupiter HS’s Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy) to have students assist with the monitoring of our seagrasses and mangroves

  • January 2026 - received Notice of Intent from the FL Department of Environmental Protection that they will be issuing permits for us to construct three natural limestone breakwaters and plant additional mangroves

  • Spring 2026 - attended Village of Tequesta concert series, River to Reef Art Festival at the lighthouse, and Wild & Scenic Film Festival to share informational materials about JNCA’s goals and plans

  • March 2026 - FL House and Senate voted unanimously to pass legislation to name the mangrove islands the Andrew “Red” Harris Islands

  • March 31, 2026 - received permit from FL DEP to install limestone breakwaters and plant additional mangroves

  • April 21, 2026 - Governor signed into law the naming of the islands in memory of Andrew “Red” Harris

  • April 2026 - Welcomed Casey Darling Kniffin to our Board. Casey grew up in this area, has a background in marine biology, and is committed to conservation in FL. Her expertise is in science, advocacy, and collaboration to protect Florida’s diverse ecosystems.

  • May 13, 2026 - received environmental permit from US Army Corps of Engineers

  • July 1, 2026 - mangroves islands are officially the Andrew “Red” Harris Islands

  • August 19, 2026 - JNCA, in partnership with Ocean Conservancy and the Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation, hosted a celebratory press event to announce the naming of the islands and the start of the restoration. We heard remarks from JNCA, OC, Senator Harrell, Representative Snyder, Mayor Young from Tequesta, and Martha Harris. Then we had a ceremonial mangrove “planting” to kick off the restoration.

  • September 2026 - contract was signed with Dickerson Florida, Inc., Notice to Proceed was issued, and on September 11, the restoration began.

  • March 2023 to present - Building our Community - we have been so pleased at the interest and support among neighbors, local municipalities, scientists, NGO’s, media, and local businesses. THANK YOU!