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Shell museum announces new programming for new year

By BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM 3 min read
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CARLY HULSE The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is kicking off the new year with a new lineup of lectures, classes and field education on Sanibel and throughout Lee County.

As the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel works toward reopening early this year, it is starting off the new year by expanding upon its educational mission by offering a new lineup of lectures, classes and field education.

The Lecture Series will feature talks by prominent authors and scientists, including:

– Jan. 31: “Loving Icons to Death: The Story of Florida’s Horse Conch” by Dr. Gregory Hebert, associate professor of Geosciences at the University of South Florida

– Feb. 19: “Remarkably Bright Creatures: Animals, Humans, and Stories” by New York Times bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt

– March 20: “Florida’s Corals and the Mission to Save Them” by Rachel Morgan, senior coral biologist at The Florida Aquarium

– April 11: “Precious Luster: On Pearls and Value” by Paul Callomon, collections manager at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University

The lectures will be held at 5:30 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

For full descriptions and registration information, visit ShellMuseum.org/in-person-lectures.

The new classes will span a range of scientific and creative subjects related to shells, mollusks and their ecosystems. They will be designed to be accessible to beginning enthusiasts and experts. The first one on Jan. 30 will prepare attendees to become a Museum Shell Ambassador volunteer and to educate and engage with beach-goers and fellow shellers. The classes will include:

– Jan. 30: “Shell Ambassador Certification” taught by staff

– Feb. 15: “Bivalves Identification” taught by museum curator and Science Director Dr. José H. Leal

– Feb. 27: “Creating Sailor’s Valentines” taught by Karen Irvine

– March 6: “Shell Photography for All” taught by Leal

– April 4: “A Day in the Life of an Aquarist” taught by senior aquarist Carly Hulse

The classes will be held at the museum & Aquarium.

For times, full descriptions and registration information, visit ShellMuseum.org/classes.

The expanded program of field education will include shell, mollusk and biodiversity explorations on beaches, coastal ecosystems and natural areas on the islands and throughout Lee County. Some programs will feature a community science aspect, whereby attendees will make observations in the field and record data that contributes to scientific research. The field programs will include:

– Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls: Jan. 26, Feb. 8 and March 10 at the Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel

– Live Mollusk Counts: March 23, May 6 and July 2 at beach locations on Sanibel

– Snail Search and Biodioveristy Walks: Jan. 19, Feb. 19, March 21 and April 16 at natural areas throughout Lee County

For times, full descriptions and registration information, visit ShellMuseum.org.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.