Post Type: Lecture

Speaker: Christopher Malinowski, PhDDirector of Research and Conservation Dr. Chris Malinowski, Director of Research and Conservation for the Ocean First Institute, joined Manatee Lagoon as the speaker for our March Lecture at the Lagoon. During this lecture, he discussed important conservation issues impacting coastal ecosystems in Florida and beyond, through the lens of his research …

March 2024 Lecture “Sharks & Goliath Grouper of Florida: Stories of Conservation” Read More »

Speaker: Dr. Michael Robinson, Associate Professor, Barry University Fishes are the most diverse vertebrates, and this diversity is also reflected in their wild and sometimes surprising color patterns. For our June lecture,  Dr. Michael Robinson shed light on the ways fish use their colors to communicate, hide, and sometimes to do both with the exact …

June 2024 Lecture “The (Sometimes) Secret World of Fish Color” Read More »

Speaker: Noah Gorman Marine Biology Student at Florida Atlantic University Honors College Manatee Master at Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center Within the aquaculture industry, Florida estuaries are utilized for their potential to grow commercially harvestable clams. The smallest size clams ready to be planted, called ‘seed clams” are placed in field nurseries across …

February 2024 Lecture “The Effects of Ocean Acidification On Clam Growth and Survival: An Uncertain Future for Florida’s Estuaries and Aquaculture Industry” Read More »

Speaker: Zeke Tuszynski Florida Atlantic University Master’s student, ElasmoLab Manatee Master at Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center Each year, massive congregations of blacktip sharks gather off the coast of South Florida for the winter before embarking on a remarkable northward migration up the U.S. East Coast, reaching as far as north as Long …

August 2024 Lecture “Exploring Our Shark-Infested Waters: The Annual Migrations of Blacktip Sharks” Read More »

Speaker: Dr. Liv Williamson Program Manager at Revive & Restore Despite their immense economic and ecological importance, coral reef ecosystems are declining at an alarming rate due to climate change and other human impacts. If corals have a chance of surviving in their rapidly warming and changing world, interventions are urgently needed to help them …

April 2024 Lecture “Helping Corals Take the Heat: Biotech and Interventions for Coral Conservation” Read More »

Speaker: Stephanie Brinez, Endangered Species Intervention Specialist, Bat Conservation International Stephanie Brinez is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a profound dedication to conservation. Through her role at Bat Conservation International, she helps to protect bat populations through education. This talk will dispel various misconceptions regarding bats, explore the different bat species present in Florida, …

November 2024 Lecture “Learn to Love Bats!” Read More »

Speaker: Amber Howell, Southeast Field Station Lead, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Manatee Program Amber Howell is the Southeast field station lead for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Manatee program covering from Ft. Pierce to Key West. She started with FWC in 2009 and has 15 years of experience working with manatees throughout Florida. …

December 2024 Lecture “A Day in the Life of a Manatee Biologist” Read More »

Speaker: Beth Brady, PhD, Senior Science and Conservation Associate, Save the Manatee Club We are excited to invite you to our January Lecture at the Lagoon, featuring Dr. Beth Brady, a Senior Science and Conservation Associate at Save the Manatee Club. This enlightening talk will delve into the innovative methods being used to enhance manatee …

January 2025 Lecture “Innovative Scientific Methods to Protect Florida’s Gentle Giants” Read More »

Speaker: Yasmeen Bruno, Outreach Coordinator, Inwater Research Group Join us at Manatee Lagoon for our March Lecture, where you will discover the fascinating research underway across Florida to better understand sea turtle life and their interactions with the environment. This lecture will delve into the methodologies scientists use to conduct in-water assessments and how their findings …

March 2025 Lecture “The Science Behind Sea Turtle Conservation” Read More »

Speaker: Jason Jacobs, CEO, Lion Country Safari Join us at Manatee Lagoon for our February Lecture featuring Jason Jacobs, CEO of Lion Country Safari. In his talk, Jason will explore the critical role of wildlife parks and zoos in global conservation efforts. Discover the challenges faced by wildlife worldwide and learn how these institutions are stepping …

February 2025 Lecture “Wildlife Parks, Zoos and Conservation” Read More »