14th Lagoon Drift Experiment After-Action Report Released

Since 2017, we have been working with partners, volunteers and thousands of citizen scientists across Palm Beach County to study the transport and accumulation of marine debris in our regional waterways using eco-friendly wooden drift cards. On November 7, 2025 we deployed cards for our 14th Lake Worth Lagoon Drift Card Study experiment with the help of Cardinal Newman High School, Friends of Manatee Lagoon, Independence Middle School’s SciQuest Academy, Manatee Lagoon, Seaside Marine Construction, Sea Turtle Adventures, The Benjamin School, The Loxahatchee River Center and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 5-4, and we are pleased to share the results with you.

 November 2025 Experiment 

 458  citizen scientists involved

 280  eco-friendly drift cards deployed

 7  inshore deployment locations around Lake Worth Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway and Loxahatchee River

Each Lagoon Drift experiment provides further insights into where trash and pollution entering our waterways may go, while engaging our community in conversations about human impacts on the environment.

 November 2025 Experimental Results 

 18%  drift cards found and reported

 70%  of reported drift cards were found inshore, within the Lake Worth Lagoon, Intracoastal Waterway or Loxahatchee River

 30%  of reported drift cards were found offshore on beaches

Go to the Lagoon Drift Experimental Data & Reports webpage to learn more about this citizen science experiment and access the full after-action report.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the creation, decoration, deployment and recovery of the cards, and helped make this another successful experiment! If you find a drift card to report or would like to get involved in future Lagoon Drift experiments, please contact us at [email protected].