The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel will kick off its 2026 Season Lecture Series at the museum, at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. The first one will be:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m.: \u201cDedication and Discovery: Building the Florida Museum Mollusk Collection\u201d with the Florida Museum\u2019s Collections Manager of Malacology John Slapcinsky<\/p>\n
One of the premier natural history museums in the Southeast, the Florida Museum in Gainesville holds one of largest and best public and scientific collections of shells in the United States. The talk will share the story of how the collection was built and is shared today, including pioneering collectors like the McGinty brothers, who dredged extensively off the Florida coast and discovered new deepwater species; the legendary Harry G. Lee; and members of Florida\u2019s shell clubs, who collectively expanded geographic coverage, provided invaluable research and helped form one of the most important shell and mollusk collections in the United States.<\/p>\n
Slapcinsky\u2019s work focuses on the taxonomy, systematics and conservation of land snails. He frequently participates in biodiversity surveys in under-sampled regions, including Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor anyone with an interest in shells, and the shells of Florida in particular, the story of the Florida Museum\u2019s collection is a fascinating one,\u201d Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Executive Director Sam Ankerson said. \u201cJohn\u2019s longtime work in stewarding this collection lends unique insight into how major museum collections of natural history come to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cost is $10 for non-members and free for members.<\/p>\n
Registration includes choice of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage and light snacks.<\/p>\n
The remaining lectures will include:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Feb. 12: \u201cA Decade of Conch-Servation Research to Protect Queen Conch\u201d with John G. Shedd Aquarium research biologist Andrew Kough<\/p>\n
\u2013 March 12: \u201cDesigning and Opening the New Mote Science Education Aquarium\u201d with Mote Aquarium Associate Vice President Evan Barniskis<\/p>\n
\u2013 April 8: \u201cThe Future of Florida\u2019s Coasts: What We Can Learn from the History of Tampa Bay\u201d with Florida Atlantic University history professor Evan Bennett<\/p>\n
The series is supported by the Sam and Francis Clean Water Education Center, Leslie Fleischner, and Joan and Don Sherman.<\/p>\n
To register or for more information, visit https:\/\/shellmuseum.org\/learn-and-experience\/lectures\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n The website also features a free archive of previously recorded lectures for viewing.<\/p>\n The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.<\/p>\n