This winter, the men of Iota Xi Chapter at the Florida Institute of Technology took part in a project to clean up the South Vero Conservation Land in Vero Beach, Fla. Over 30 chapter members made the hour-long road trip, and their service made the conservation land safer, cleaner, and us-able for camping.
The South Vero Conservation Land is protected by the Indian River Land Trust (IRLT), a non-profit land protection organization.
Though dealing with tangled mangroves, banana spiders, and fire ant piles, the brothers filled over 50 contractor garbage bags with bottles, cans, Styrofoam, plastic bags, and other floating debris. IRLT Executive Director Ken Grudens re-marked, “It is exciting to involve the younger generation in the work of the Land Trust to preserve our natural resources and provide access to the lagoon in Indian River Country.”
The brothers saw the clean-up as an opportunity to not only keep the lagoon waterfront pristine but to take the initiative and serve a neighboring county. As one of the newest installed chapters, Southern Division Vice President Kyle Keefe said, “Strengthening the community is one of Delta Tau Delta’s core values. I am proud to see our members take such an active role in bettering their community. This is just a small example of how the men of Iota Xi continue to embody our values every day.” Purchased in September 2011, the 185-acre South Vero Conservation Land complements four miles of lagoon shoreline protected by the Indian River Land Trust. Established in 1990, the Indian River Land Trust is dedicated to promoting the preservation, conservation, and improvement of natural resources and unique places in Indian River County, Florida, for the benefit of the general public and future generations.