Enjoy coffee and pastries while you learn about Marine Science in Florida on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 as part of the Smithson’s Marine Science in Morning Lecture series at the St. Lucie County Aquarium.
Our fourth presentation in the winder lecture series “Inter- and post-nesting movement patterns of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting in southeastern Florida, USA” is presented by Derek Aoki, who is a PhD candidate at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University. An associate researcher with Upwell Turtles, and Nesting Technician with Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Derek’s research focuses on the movement patterns of the southeastern Florida aggregation of leatherback sea turtle using satellite and acoustic telemetry. The goal of this project is to describe high-use inter- and post-nesting habitats throughout the north Atlantic Ocean and identify potential natural or anthropogenic factors influencing their distribution.
The doors at the St. Lucie County Aquarium open starting at 8:30 AM and the one-hour lectures begin at 9:00 AM. To register for this lecture, please call the education office 772-465-3271 or email SMSEducation@si.edu to reserve your seat. Lectures are free with paid aquarium admission ($3.25 for seniors 55+, $4.25 for adults, and $3.25 for children under 18 years old). One-year memberships, which include free admission, are available starting at just $15.
The Smithsonian Marine Station partnered with St. Lucie County and other community partners more than 22 years ago to create this unique educational facility. The Ecosystems Exhibit serves as an outreach branch of the Smithsonian Marine Station, which is under the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. A fixture in the Fort Pierce community for more than 53 years, the Marine Station is dedicated to understanding the character and diversity of the marine and estuarine habitats of Florida.
Located at 420 Seaway Drive on South Hutchinson Island, the St. Lucie County Aquarium is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday from noon to 4:00 PM. and seasonally (January through March) on Monday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 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 AM and 2:30 PM 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 or by visiting our website at StLucieCo.gov/Aquarium.
