Florida Tech has been recognized with Melbourne’s Valuable Pond (MVP) Award for the outstanding maintenance and function of its on-campus stormwater pond. The university received a commemorative sign that highlights how the pond, which runs along both Panther Place and Psychology Place near Panther Dining Hall, supports the health of the Indian River Lagoon.
The MVP Program was launched in May by the city’s Beautification and Energy Efficiency Board. It celebrates well-maintained stormwater ponds that also effectively reduce pollution. These ponds are critical to protecting the city’s stormwater conveyance system and, by extension, the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.
To qualify for MVP status, ponds must meet specific criteria including being free of bare slopes, litter and invasive plant species, among other maintenance standards.
Lee Myers, associate vice president of facilities at Florida Tech, said maintaining a healthy and visually appealing pond system requires a daily commitment from plumbing and grounds crews.
“Our plumbers have worked diligently to ensure the ponds are properly aerated and functioning as designed, while our grounds crew plays a vital role in controlling invasive species, managing shoreline vegetation, and keeping the areas free of litter and erosion,” Myers said. “It’s truly a team effort.”
He explained that this effort goes beyond landscape; his team is taking care of a living system. By maintaining the pond’s cleanliness and ecological balance, they are protecting “one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America.”
“We’re proud to support sustainability in action through daily stewardship of our campus environment,” Myers said.
Florida Tech’s stormwater pond is not the only campus landmark to receive recent city praise. The Folliard Alumni Center earned the City of Melbourne Beautification and Energy Efficiency Board’s Clean Energy Award in 2022 for its zero-energy indoor design. The same building earned the city’s Diamond Gems Award a few months later for its native landscaping and eco-friendly maintenance.
