Forever Explorers
Let Marine Discovery Center’s certified naturalists engage you in a fun and unique educational exploration of the Indian River Lagoon and the flora and fauna that thrive here.
Forever Explorers is designed for young-at-heart, lifelong learners and is geared to offer outdoor opportunities for adults who want to explore and better understand their surrounding coastal environment alongside certified naturalists and scientists!
Participants will explore the roles of salt marshes, mudflats and various saltwater plants and animals by visiting different spoil islands on MDC’s pontoon boat, Discovery, as well as through kayak excursions, land-based programs, and conservation activities! Each participant will receive an Adventure Guide binder and pen to document their experiences.
This program features a spring and fall session, and each will conclude with an end-of-season gathering, slide show and prize drawing. There’s even wonderful Forever Explorers incentives for those attending multiple programs – 5 events earns a T-shirt; 10 earns a hat; 15 earns a water bottle; and 20 earns a pair of Costa del Mar sunglasses.
This program is only for participants 18+.
Boat (price includes meal): $60 MDC Members | $65 Non-Members
Kayak (price includes snacks): $50 MDC Members | $55 Non-Members
Land: $8 MDC Members | $10 Non-Members
Conservation: Free (donations accepted)
Monthly program descriptions and registration buttons are below!
MAY • FOOD WEB FORENSICS
Boat – Tuesday, May 14, 1pm-3:30pm | Climb aboard our pontoon boat, Discovery, for a high seas adventure! We will be traveling out to the lagoon-side of Smyrna Dunes Park to snorkel the shallow shoreline. We will dive deep into the top predators of the Indian River Lagoon and energy dynamics in our estuarine food web. Whether you are an experienced snorkeler or think a snorkel is a kind of Midwest bagel, this program is for you! Lunch will be provided! You are welcome to bring your own snorkel and mask. If you do not have snorkel equipment, we will have extras on the boat!
Kayak – Wednesday May 8, 10am-12:30pm | At MDC Main Campus, we will be joined by two top predator experts. Gina Holt is a raptor rehab specialist and avian educator and Eric Sander is a biologist who focuses on sharks and other elasmobranchs. Guests will rotate between learning about birds of prey, sharks in the Indian River Lagoon, and kayaking to Discovery Island to collect and dissect owl pellets. A snack will be provided!
Conservation – Friday May 17, 12pm-2:30pm | It’s an end of season celebration! Join us for an MDC site clean-up (12pm-1pm) and party (1pm-2:30pm) for our Forever Explorers! Lunch and dessert will be served followed by this season’s slideshow and a raffle! If you have participated in ANY one of the Forever Explorers events this Spring, bring your binder to the party. One journal page from an event is equal to one raffle ticket. Prizes include copies of Living Beaches and other exciting items . . . Come gather with fellow forever explorers and hear about what we will have in store for you in the fall!
If you have any questions about this program,
please contact Carley Metcalf at [email protected] or 386.428.4828.
Our Mission:
"To protect and restore Florida's coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems
through education, research and community stewardship."