Get caught up on the current health of our local waterways, and see how efforts to improve the management of Lake Okeechobee are progressing.

Presented by: Mark Perry, Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society

Conservation of a Prehistoric Fish: Atlantic Tarpon in the Anthropocene

Learn how researchers are using high-tech and low-tech solutions to track tarpon migrations and identify critical juvenile habitats, in an effort to conserve this ancient gamefish species.

Presented by: Dr. Aaron Adams, Director of Science and Conservation, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust; Senior Scientist, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Restoring Native Clam Communities for Improved Water Quality and Economic Resiliency in the Indian River Lagoon

See how researchers are breeding “superclams” that are resilient to algae blooms in an attempt to filter the Indian River Lagoon’s waters and improve ecosystem health.

Presented by: Dr. Todd Osborne, Associate Professor, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida

Mysterious Manta Rays of Florida

Learn about the Florida Manta Project, the first dedicated study of Florida’s manta rays, and find out more about manta ray biology as well as efforts to conserve these graceful giants.

Presented by: Jessica Pate, Research Scientist & Country Manager, Marine Megafauna Foundation

Disney’s Role in Conserving our Planet and our Own Backyard

Find out about Disney’s Animal, Science, and Environment team, which is responsible for the care and wellbeing of domestic, zoo, and aquarium animals that are part of Disney experiences worldwide.

Presented by: Dr. Scott Terrell, Director of Animal and Science Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide

The Loxa-Lucie Headwaters - Continuing the History of Preserving 
Environmentally Valuable Lands in 
Martin County

Learn about a new land preservation initiative to protect the headwaters of Kitching Creek and the north-flowing South Fork of the St. Lucie River.

Presented by: Greg Braun, Certified Environmental Preofessional, Sustainable Ecosystems International

From Seeds to Shoreline: Nursery Production of Spartina alterniflora for Salt Marsh Restoration

Learn about efforts to propagate smooth cordgrass from wild-collected seeds as part of a project that aims to restore degraded salt marshes while simultaneously cleaning up aquaculture waste.

Presented by: Dr. Heather Joesting, Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University

South Florida Octopuses: From Behavior to Bacteria

Discover the surprising ways that two local octopus species coexist just beneath the surface of Lake Worth Lagoon at Blue Heron Bridge.

Presented by: Dr. Chelsea Bennice, Affiliate Assistant Scientist, Florida Atlantic University

In the Bedroom of the Shark: Underwater Mating and Dating in the 
Florida Keys

Dive in to learn more about the fascinating story of nurse shark courtship and mating from a world-renowned shark biologist.

Presented by: Dr. Jeffrey Carrier, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Albion College; Adjunct Research Scientist, Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory