BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM
\nDr. Andrew Kough<\/p>\n
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel will continue with its 2026 Season Lecture Series at the museum, at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. The next one will be on:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.: \u201cA Decade of Conch-Servation Research to Protect Queen Conch\u201d with John G. Shedd Aquarium research biologist Dr. Andrew Kough<\/p>\n
The queen conch is an herbivorous marine snail with an iconic pink shell that was once ubiquitous throughout the Caribbean, but populations have been decimated by overharvest. Given their important role in the ecosystems, cultures and economies where they are found, the queen conch was recently listed on the U.S. Endangered Species Act.<\/p>\n
Since 2015, Kough\u2019s team at the aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, has used diverse methods to explore the conservation ecology of the queen conch. In the talk, he will share how thousands of surveys on snorkel and SCUBA, computational modeling, monitoring of predation and tracking of animal behavior have combined to build knowledge, prompt policy changes and lead to a rosier future for a species.<\/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 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