Treasure Coast Sun

Want to learn about local marine science and meet like-minded community members in the New Year? The Smithsonian Marine Station invites area residents to enjoy a morning lecture series presented by local marine scientists on Wednesdays this January through March. Hosted by the Smithsonian Exhibit at the St. Lucie County Aquarium, the bi-weekly series provides an opportunity for the community to hear from and speak with scientists in various fields within marine science. Lectures begin at 9 a.m. and will last until approximately 10 a.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided starting at 8:30 a.m.

The lectures focus on current research topics including:

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Research at the Smithsonian Marine Station: New Discoveries About Our Changing Ocean with Dr. Valerie Paul, Head Scientist and Director of the Smithsonian Marine Station. This presentation will provide an overview of environmental research at the Smithsonian Marine Station, focused on new research programs initiated over the last few years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics will include Indian River Lagoon monitoring, biomedical research on marine natural products, coral disease, and eDNA.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Microbes and Coral Larvae: Using Bacteria to Enhance Coral Restoration Efforts with Dr. Alyssa Demko, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Marine Station. Marine bacteria play an important but often overlooked role in the health and functioning of our coral reef ecosystems. At the Smithsonian Marine Station, we are working to understand the role of bacteria in coral settlement and whether probiotic bacteria can enhance the health and survival of newly settled coral recruits. This talk will highlight ongoing research to understand these bacteria-coral interactions and the implications for coral restoration efforts.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Darwin in the Galápagos– a travelogue and celebration with Dr. Judith Winston, research associate at the Smithsonian Marine Station. Charles Darwin was only 22 when he signed on as the naturalist on the H.M.S. Beagle. One of the locations he visited during his five-year journey was the isolated Pacific archipelago of the Galápagos Islands. This presentation will illustrate some of the strange plants and animals of the islands, discuss how they played a part in his developing ideas about the evolution of life over time, and explain how we can celebrate his efforts in honor of International Darwin Day (Feb. 12).

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Seagrasses: Importance, Decline, and Opportunities for Restoration with Dr. Conor MacDonnell, Post-Doctoral Associate at the University of Florida and Florida Oceanographic Society. Seagrasses are an important and underappreciated ecosystem that has declined significantly in the last few decades. This presentation will discuss the value of seagrasses in Florida, current trends, and how restoration may help reverse losses of seagrass.

Wednesday, March 8

Nonnative Reptiles of the Treasure Coast with Ken Gioeli, UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension Agent for St. Lucie County. Nonnative reptiles are becoming increasingly common on the Treasure Coast. Florida has experienced more introductions of nonnative reptile species than any other region on Earth, and there are approximately three times as many species of established, nonnative lizards in the state as there are native species. This lecture is designed to teach Florida residents and visitors about nonnative reptile biology and natural history.

Wednesday, March 22

MarineGEO (Marine Global Earth Observatory) with Dean Janiak, Biologist at the Smithsonian Marine Station. Biodiversity of marine life is concentrated along the coasts, however our shorelines are changing at a rapid pace. The MarineGEO program, a global network of partners led by the Smithsonian, is focused on the causes and consequences of this change on marine biodiversity, which is fundamental to a healthy ecosystem. One such persistent change is the construction of artificial structures (e.g. docks, seawalls), which are beneficial to us, but several questions remain unanswered on what impacts they might have on marine life.

Advance registration is required as space is limited. Sign up for just one or join us for the full series. Lectures are free with paid aquarium admission ($3.25 for seniors 55+, $4.25 for adults). One-year memberships, which include free admission, are available starting at just $15. Please contact the Education Office at 772-465-3271 for further questions or to reserve your seat today. 

Located at 420 Seaway Drive on Hutchinson Island South, the St. Lucie County Aquarium is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and seasonally (January through March) on Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can meet the Aquarium’s staff and learn how they care for the intricate living ecosystems as well as the ever-popular guided feeding tours at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. led by Smithsonian educators. For more information about the Exhibit, or to learn about volunteering opportunities, call 772-465-3271. Keep up to date with this program and all the happenings at SMEE, by following us on social media (@SmithsonianSMS on the most popular platforms) and by visiting our website at StLucieCo.gov/Aquarium.

Original source can be found here.