The Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway, the third and longest Scenic Highway in Florida has received National Scenic Byway status. This new status will help promote the goals of the Scenic Highway which is to preserve the natural, historic, cultural, recreational and scenic resources adjacent to the highway. The Scenic Highway runs along A1A and US 1, from Titusville to Wabasso, including all the causeways in between. The Indian River Lagoon Coalition that manages and promotes the Scenic Highway has representatives from 15 Cities and 2 Counties. The Marine Resources Council a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving resources in the Indian River Lagoon region sponsors the Scenic Highway. Designation as a National Scenic Byway will put the Indian River Lagoon on a Federal Scenic Byway Map along side America’s most beautiful vistas. The designation will also make the Scenic Highway Corridor eligible for additional grant funding. To date the state designation of the Scenic Highway has already resulted in 1.5 million dollars in funding to enhance resources along the route including the Lagoon House. The Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway encompasses the most biodiverse waterbody in North America, home to over 4,200 species of plants, more than 75 of which are rare, threatened or endangered species.