Shell museum announces new programming for year
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel will start the new year by expanding upon its educational mission with a new lineup of lectures, classes, field education and learning experiences.
The classes will span a range of scientific and creative subjects related to shells and mollusks and their ecosystems. They are designed to be accessible to beginning enthusiasts and experts alike. The first session on Jan. 7 will prepare attendees to become a Museum Shell Ambassador volunteer and educate and engage with beachgoers and fellow shellers. The classes will include:
– Jan. 7: “Shell Ambassador Certification,” taught by Associate Director of Education Jorden Falker, curator and Science Director Dr. José H. Leal, and marine biologist Jessie Macaluso
– Feb. 17: “Marine Biology and Beach Field Lab,” taught by Falker and marine biologist and Collection Assistant Chris Whitt
– Feb. 26: “Sleuthing with Shells,” taught by Leal
– March 29: “Paint and Sip in the Galleries,” taught by artist Laura Ball
The classes will be held at the museum.
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:
– Snail Search and Biodioveristy Walks: Jan. 16, Feb. 7 and March 24 at various natural areas throughout Lee County
– Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls: Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and March 27 at the Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel
– Live Mollusk Counts: March 11 and May 25 at various beach locations
For times, full descriptions and registration information, visit ShellMuseum.org.
This season’s Lecture Series will feature talks by prominent authors and scientists, including:
– Jan. 22: “Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen” by Keri Watson, Ph.D., associate professor of Art History at the University of Central Florida
– Feb. 13: “Shellfish Aquaculture in Florida: Its Status and Potential in a Rapidly Changing State” by Stephen Hesterberg, Ph.D., executive director of the Gulf Shellfish Institute
– March 13: “Exploring the Atlantic Canyons: Searching the Deep Ocean for Cephalopods and Other Marine Life” by Dr. Elizabeth Shea, director of Collections and Curator of Mollusks at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
– April 3: “The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of New York Harbor’s Oysters” by author Mark Kurlansky
The lectures will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the museum.
For full descriptions and registration information, visit ShellMuseum.org/in-person-lectures.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.