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; each month focuses on a different theme, and each program explores a topic within that theme. Both sessions 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.
Forever Explorers 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)
OCTOBER
Land: A Taste of Plein Air – Tuesday, October 1 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm | Ever tried to capture the colors of a sunset? Almost impossible but we sure do try! Join us for a simple painting workshop inspired by MDC’s campus and the sunset view from our Mt. Morgan. Supplies and small snacks provided.
Kayak: Photography & Data Collection – Thursday, October 24 at 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (rescheduled from 10/11 due to hurricane) | Scientists use many tools to better understand their surroundings but one of the tools not frequently talked about is the camera. Whether it is a large tripod with a telescope attachment, a game camera, or cell phone camera, scientists are constantly using the power of a captured image to make new discoveries and conclusions. BONUS: Photo Contest!! Participants may submit one photo they took during the program and the photo will be posted to social media where our followers will vote for best photo! The photo with the highest number of likes will be printed and hung in MDC’s Welcome Center. Only supplies necessary is your phone camera!
Conservation: Invasive Plants & Brazilian Pepper Removal – Tuesday October 22 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Let’s bust some Brazilian Pepper at Indian River Lagoon Park and learn more about invasive species in Central Florida. Please wear long pants and long sleeves! This takes place at Indian River Lagoon Preserve Part at 700 Sandpiper Street on beachside in New Smyrna.
Boat: An Evening with the Estuary – Wednesday, October 30 at 6:30 – 8:30 pm | As we explore the dusky mangrove forest, we will utilize tools such as a hydrophone, underwater lights, and a trawl to lure creatures in for further observation. What secrets lie in the mangrove forest’s soundscape?
NOVEMBER
Land: Rebel Farm Tour – Tuesday, November 12 at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Rebel Farms, a private organization focused on sustainable agriculture and permaculture. Forever Explorers will gain knowledge on fruit bearing trees and plants that thrive in Central Florida and simple steps homeowners can take to kickstart their own food forest. Participants will meet at MDC and caravan to Rebel Farms.
Kayak: Explore Gabordy Canal – Thursday, November 21 at 12:00 – 2:30 pm | What do Edgewater’s waste management system and Al Capone have in common? More than you think! Join MDC naturalists as we journey into Gabordy Canal – a local waterway rich with history and wildlife. Participants will meet at Menard May Park at S Riverside Dr & E Ocean Ave in Edgewater.
Conservation: Oyster Volcanoes – Tuesday, November 26 at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Our shoreline restoration team needs your help! Join us to build volcanoes that will be used in stabilizing shorelines in the Indian River Lagoon and connected waterways!
DECEMBER
Kayak: Treasure in the Mangroves – Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | There’s treasure in those mangroves! And you and your team of kayakers will be traveling through the waterway to find X marks the spot. Follow a string of clues hidden in the mangroves at Marine Discovery Center and an “ancient map” to unlock the treasure. While on the treasure hunt, guests will be able to explore the backwaters of the mangrove forest and the creatures who lurk in the muck.
Boat: Fisheries – Thursday, December 12 at 9:00 – 11:30 am | Let’s explore Florida’s rich fisheries history! We will be using a trawl net, seine net, and fishing poles to immerse ourselves in the most popular past time in Florida. Fish On!
Conservation: Oyster Volcanoes & End of Season Party – Friday, December 13 at 12:00 – 2:30 pm | It’s an end of season celebration! Join us for an MDC site clean-up, oyster volcano construction (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 Fall, 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 Spring 2025!
If you have any questions about this program,
please contact Carley Metcalf at [email protected] or 386.428.4828.
Our Mission:
"To protect our coastal ecosystems through education, conservation, and exploration"