The FREE Distinguished Speaker Series brings global scientists, conservationists, researchers and educators to Museum guests of all ages
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) and the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and caring for the world’s oceans, with a specific focus on sharks and rays, today announced an international lineup of environmental speakers for the upcoming Distinguished Speaker Series. The goal is to increase awareness of the environmental, social and economic importance of ocean protection here and across the world and to educate people to make a difference.
“As Broward County’s dynamic hub for dialogue regarding resiliency and community solutions to the impact of climate change, MODS is the space to have these conversations,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO at MODS. “Working together to create intelligent and feasible solutions to combat climate change starts with public education. Now is the time to have these conversations and to take an active and intentional role in the health of our planet.”
The lineup for 2022 Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series at MODS includes scientists from around the globe who will discuss their research discoveries across a spectrum of topics: from white sharks to hammerheads, lemon and deep-sea sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, community engagement, ocean education and conservation and much more! Attendees look forward to the always-popular Deep Sea Shark Expert Panel Discussion, featuring prominent researchers and conservationists from across the region. These speakers are all eminent scientists supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation for their research on endangered sharks and rays.
“The challenges faced by our oceans and their inhabitants today are concerning for communities across the globe. To bring about sustainable and effective change, there is a need to weave together the strands of research, conservation and education,” said Dr. James Lea, CEO of Save Our Seas Foundation. “Through our partnership with MODS, we are sharing the latest innovative research in marine life and ocean conservation to encourage local actions by communities.”
2022 Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series at 6 p.m. EDT
(Program lineup is subject to change)
- April 7 – White Sharks and Community Safety with Greg Skomal, marine biologist, underwater explorer, photographer, aquarist and author with Boston University.
- May 5 – Hammerheads and Recreational Fishing with Jill Brooks, graduate student at Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology.
- June 2 – Ocean Education and Conservation with Hannah Medd, founder of the American Shark Conservancy, and Candice Brittain, director of outreach and partnerships with Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas.
- July 7 – Bonnethead Shark Ecology with Cheston Peterson, fisheries scientist with NOAA.
- August 4 – Sawfish Education with Jeff Whitty, founder of Sawfish Conservation Society.
- August 30 – Whale Shark Tracking with Jonathan R. Green, project founder and director of Galapagos Whale Shark Project, and Sofia Green, investigator and data analyst with Galapagos Whale Shark Project.
- September 1 – Lemon Sharks and Pollution Effects with Andria Beal, postdoctoral collaborator with the Environmental Epigenetics Lab at Florida International University.
- October 6 – Community Engagement and Local Knowledge Panel Discussion with Julia Wester, co-founder of the Field School, and Nadia Rubio, marine biologist and conservationist with Mar Sustentable Ciencia y Conservacion.
- November 3 – Deep Sea Sharks Panel Discussion with Sofia Graça Aranha, biologist and PhD candidate with The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere at the University of Algarve and University of Porto, and Diana Catarino, postdoctoral student with OKEANOS.
- December 1 – Manta Rays and Commercial Fishing with Don Croll, professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz and co-founder of Island Conservation, and Melissa Cronin, PhD candidate in the Conservation Action Lab at the University of California Santa Cruz.
MODS has become Broward’s Hub for Resiliency Education, anchoring and championing the community’s conversation, education and action regarding environmental sustainability and resiliency. As an extension of The Community Foundation of Broward’s goal to make the county a more livable and resilient place to call home, MODS is the lead organization, creating a network among Broward nonprofits to elevate and educate residents about the critical issue of climate change and environmental sustainability.
For more information and to register for 2022 Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series at MODS, please visit mods.org/2022saveourseas.
ABOUT SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION:
Founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2003, the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is a philanthropic organization that aims to protect and care for the world’s oceans. Its support for research, conservation and education projects worldwide focuses primarily on endangered species of sharks, rays and skates, as well as their habitats. Three permanent SOSF research and education centres reinforce its action in the Seychelles, South Africa and the USA. Over the past 19 years, the SOSF has supported 425 projects in 85 countries, passionately upholding the founder’s pledge to protect the populations of sharks, rays and skates whose presence is essential to the health and biological diversity of our seas. For more information about the Save Our Seas Foundation, please visit saveourseas.com.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE (MODS):
Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science. The Museum encompasses more than 150,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. This includes all of our permanent and travelling exhibits, as well as our outdoor Science Park. Families can enjoy super science shows and demonstrations, wild Creature Feature animal encounters, private experiences, mind-blowing Makerspace labs, cool camps, unforgettable birthday parties, engaging field trips and STEM curricula, professional development workshops for educators, distinguished speakers, and more. In addition to daily hours, MODS is currently offering virtual and offsite programming. MODS’ STEMobile delivers STEM education on location across South Florida! A STEMobile experience ranges from one-hour to full day with programming for pre-kindergarten through adults and is available for schools, community centres, corporate team building and special events! All programs can be customized for time, group size and age group. Book a STEMobile visit today. Free programs and scholarships are available!
The Museum celebrates diversity and welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MODS is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit mods.org or call 954.467.MODS (6637).
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media