Conservation
Get Involved!
At Marine Discovery Center we work to engage the community in the environmental research and restoration happening in our own backyard. We collaborate with environmental scientists, researchers, and universities around the state to bring diverse and informative programs to New Smyrna Beach and give volunteers the opportunity to assist with ongoing projects in both habitat restoration and community science.
Restoration
Learn about the variety of methods and materials we use for shoreline and oyster reef restoration!
Living Shorelines
Living shorelines are an erosion prevention method that use natural barriers such as plants, oysters, and limited rock to protect fragile shorelines while maintaining valuable habitat. Living shoreline projects utilize native and salt tolerant plants at different levels of elevation to avoid the loss of sediment, help to improve water quality via filtration of upland run off, and create habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species
Shuck and Share
Shuck and Share was created in 2014 to provide oyster shells for shoreline restoration projects in the Indian River Lagoon. Do your part by volunteering or ordering a dozen at one of our participating restaurant partners!
Community Compost Program
Our community program is a great way to reduce your footprint and improve your gardens . . . for FREE! Drop your fruit & veggie scraps, coffee grounds, paper coffee filters, paper tea bags, and other compostable items into Bin #1, and bring a container to fill with finished compost from Bin #3! A big thanks to Lindley’s Garden Center and to these local businesses for their continued contributions to our compost: Mason Bar | Botanical House NSB | Lilly Rose Cafe | Island Roasters Coffee Company
Our bin is located north of our Welcome Center in our staff parking lot – click for a map!
Our Mission:
"To protect our coastal ecosystems through education, conservation, and exploration"