Florida Tech Honored with MVP Award for Stormwater Pond Excellence

Published on July 28, 2025

Florida Tech has been recognized with a Melbourne’s Valuable Pond (MVP) Award for the outstanding maintenance and function of its stormwater pond located off Panther Place. The university received a commemorative sign highlighting how the pond supports the health of the Indian River Lagoon and outlining details of the MVP Program.

The MVP Program, launched in May 2025 by the City of Melbourne’s Beautification and Energy Efficiency Board, celebrates stormwater ponds that are both well-maintained and effectively reducing 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 two key groups on campus, 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. It’s truly a team effort,” Myers said.

He continued, “We see these water features as more than just landscape elements: They are living systems that support stormwater management and contribute to the overall health of the Indian River Lagoon. By keeping our ponds clean and ecologically balanced, we’re doing our part to protect one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America. We’re proud to support sustainability in action through daily stewardship of our campus environment.”

For more information about the MVP Program, contact the City of Melbourne’s Stormwater Utility at 321-608-7300.