Global scientists, conservationists, researchers, and educators share their passion for marine life and ocean conservation through this FREE virtual series for all ages.
The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) and Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and caring for the world’s oceans, has announced an international lineup of environmental speakers for the upcoming Distinguished Speaker Series. The Museum is excited to once again be partnering with Save Our Seas Foundation, who is celebrating their 20-year anniversary in 2023, to increase awareness of the environmental, social, and economic importance of ocean protection here and across the world and to educate people to make a difference.
“As a dynamic hub for dialogue regarding resilience and community solutions to the impact of climate change, MODS is at the forefront of connecting people to inspiring science through its partnership with the Save Our Seas Foundation and our 2023 Distinguished Speaker Series,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO at MODS. “By providing a platform for these brilliant researchers to share their scientific and environmental stories, we hope to increase public awareness that will inspire action and lead to positive change in the health of our oceans and marine wildlife conservation.”
The lineup for the 2023 Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series at MODS includes scientists, conservationists, researchers and educators from around the globe who will share their passion for our oceans in programs designed for Museum guests of all ages. Research topics will range from Whale Sharks of the Galapagos Marine Reserve to Sevengill Sharks in San Francisco Bay, Antarctic Penguins to Whales of British Columbia and much more! The speakers are all eminent scientists whose research on threatened wildlife is supported by Save Our Seas Foundation.
“The challenges faced by our oceans and their inhabitants today are concerning for communities across the globe. To bring about sustainable and effective change, there is a need to weave together the strands of research, conservation, and education,” said Dr. James Lea, CEO of Save Our Seas Foundation. “Through our partnership with MODS, we are sharing the latest innovative research in marine life and ocean conservation to encourage local actions by communities.”
2023 Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series at 6 p.m. EDT
(Program lineup is subject to change)
- April 20 – Documenting Shark Communities Using Observation and Remote Technology with Sandra Bessudo, director of the Malpelo and Other Marine Ecosystems Foundation.
- May 4 – Gill Guardians: An Elasmobranch Conservation and Education Hub with Jasmin Graham, administrator of Gill Guardians.
- June 1 – Activities at the Shark Lab in Bimini, Bahamas with Matthew Smukall, president and CEO, Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation.
- June 8 (World Oceans Day) – Community-Supported Conservation of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks with Kelly Kingon, assistant professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
- July 13 – Antarctic Penguins with Tom Hart, research fellow at the University of Oxford, Polar Ecology and Conservation Research Group.
- August 3 – Shark Conservation Fund: Turning the Tide for Threatened Sharks and Rays with Lee Crockett, executive director at the Shark Research Fund.
- August 30 – Whale Sharks of the Galápagos Marine Reserve with Sofía Green, PhD candidate at University of the Algarve.
- September 7 – Silky Shark Fishing Conservation and Tagging Panel Discussion with Brendan Talwar, PhD candidate at Florida International University and Bryan Keller, researcher at Saving the Blue.
- October 5 – Kelp: Important Ocean Forests for Sharks with Emiliano García-Rodríguez, postdoc at Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja, California.
- November 2 – Sevengill Sharks in San Francisco Bay with Meghan Holst, PhD candidate in Conservation Ecology at the University of California, Davis.
- December 14 – Whales of British Columbia with Janie Wray, CEO and Lead Researcher for BC Whales.
MODS has been designated the Hub for Resilience Education by the Community Foundation of Broward. In this role MODS serves as anchor and champion of the community’s conversation regarding environmental sustainability and resilience in our community and encourages solutions to help mitigate the impact of climate change through engagement and education.
For more information and to register for the FREE virtual 2023 Save Our Seas Distinguished Speaker Series at MODS, please visit mods.org/saveourseas. Please note, space is limited.