The Captiva Island Yacht Club (CIYC) recently held an evening program featuring Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Executive Director Sam Ankerson and his staff. Members gained insights into more than 30 years of research, education and conservation at America’s only accredited museum dedicated to shells, mollusks and their ecosystems. Staff shared recent discoveries and regional observations, including population assessments, conservation status updates on iconic species and evolving ecosystem dynamics. Members were particularly impressed by the new Great Hall of Shells, now recognized as one of the world’s most extensive and visually striking public shell exhibits.
