Sanctuary Seminar to Cover Rays, Roseatte Spoonbills and Science

December 2014

Roseate spoonbills in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Roseate spoonbills in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo Credit: Sandy Sprunt

We’ve all seen something out on the water that sparked our curiosity – whether it was a spotted eagle ray gracefully gliding under the surface, a colorful roseatte spoonbill wading near the shore, or a glimpse of something man-made resting on the seafloor. You may have wondered what an animal ate or where it migrated from. Perhaps you couldn't tell whether a shiny object on the seafloor was a piece of history or merely marine debris. This winter, anyone interested in the marine life and maritime heritage of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary can learn more in a seminar series where experts share their knowledge of ecological and cultural resources of the sanctuary.

Registration is now open for the Florida Keys Community College's "Sanctuary Seminar," a six-week, non-credit lecture series hosted by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Lectures are Tuesday evenings 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., from January 13 - February 17, 2015 at Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.

Class Schedule:

Reef Beacons: Navigation Through Time
Brenda Altmeier, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
January 13, 2015

Seas Under Siege: Battle of Marine Debris
Gabby Renchen, FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
January 20, 2015

Eyes On (and Under) the Water: Observations of Marine Events
Cory Walter, Mote Marine Laboratory
January 27, 2015

Spotted Eagle Ray Research: Connecting for Conservation
Kim Bassos-Hull, Mote Marine Laboratory
February 3, 2015

Roseate Spoonbills: A Pink Canary in a Coal Mine
Dr. Jerry Lorenz, Everglades Research Center, Audubon of Florida
February 10, 2015

Science and Discovery Aboard a NOAA Research Ship in the Florida Keys
Scott Donahue, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
February 17, 2015

For more information, contact the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center at 305-809-4750. To register for the course, contact the FKCC Community Education Department at 305-809-3185. The tuition fee is $19 for all six lectures and the course number is 20703.