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.

Restoration Unit Workshops

Help us make units that will be deployed in the Indian River Lagoon for shoreline and habitat restoration. These opportunities occur seasonally and are dependent on the current needs of our conservation partners. Our restoration unit workshops are almost always open to the public and are great for groups & teambuilding. No experience necessary – we’ll show you what to do! Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and bring sun protection & a reusable water bottle. All equipment will be provided.

Cement Workshops

Measure, mix, pour, and mold with cement into biodegradable ecosystems! Units may include oyster volcanoes (cement-covered jute) and/or POSH (cement-covered shell) — check out our Restoration Page to learn more about the different types of units. Volunteers will get a hands on experience with shoreline and oyster bed restoration techniques and help in our efforts to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon. This is open to participants 16+. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Cement workshops currently are held most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and select Saturdays from 9am-12pm. Click HERE to register.

BESE Mats

Volunteers thread recycled oyster shells from our Shuck and Share program onto mats made from potato chip starch using biodegradable zip ties. Volunteers must be at least 10 years of age, and anyone 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. There are no opportunities at this time, but we will update this page when we schedule our next BESE Mat Workshops.

Community Science

Community science — sometimes known as citizen science — is the collection of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists. The data collected by our volunteers is used to discover the unknown, aid in management decisions, and influence educational policy. To participate in most of our citizen science programs, you must first become an MDC Volunteer. Visit our volunteer page for information.

Horseshoe Crab Watch

Marine Discovery Center partners each year with Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the University of Florida to survey the Indian River Lagoon for horseshoe crabs. Volunteers help conduct walking surveys each spring and assist in locating and capturing the animals, as well as recording data and tagging the horseshoe crabs with numbered U.S. Fish & Wildlife tags. Learn more . . .

Shoreline Monitoring

In Summer 2025, Marine Discovery Center completed a 350+ foot living shoreline project, by removing 1/3 of our west parking lot. This shoreline utilizes 3 different restoration units and transplanted intertidal plants for stabilization. To measure the success of these restoration units & transplanted intertidal plants, we’re looking for dedicated volunteers to help complete quarterly shoreline monitoring. Volunteers will develop new skills by conducting transect surveys, measuring percent cover using quadrats, and measuring the slope of the shoreline.

Invasive Species Removal

Invasive species are defined as non-native species in the area that have the capability to spread and cause damage to the environment by killing native species or taking over habitat. Our team needs help to eradicate invasive species — particularly Brazilian pepper — on our property and elsewhere in the community. Volunteers will learn how to identify the plants and remove them, as well as why these particular species are detrimental to our ecosystem.

Seagrass Nursery Maintenance

Our seagrass and clam nursery became operational in late 2024, and we need volunteers to help handle the cleaning and maintenance of the tanks. Regular maintenance involves algae removal and scraping, clearing tanks of debris, and noting major changes in water quality/organism health.

As a reminder, the Community Science opportunities listed above are only open to MDC Volunteers.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please visit our volunteer page.

Project Plankton

MDC is monitoring the phytoplankton and zooplankton populations living in the Indian River Lagoon, right off our dock! By building this data set, we will be able to better understand the variety of life invisible to the naked eye and how plankton respond to environmental changes. Volunteers will learn how to properly collect plankton, prepare plankton samples, and catalog species. This program is open to the public; volunteers must be 15+ years old.  Our final training session of the 2025-26 season is offered from 3:00-4:30 pm on March 10. Register online . . .

What are Plankton?

Plankton are drifting organisms that serve as vital components to aquatic ecosystems, comprising the base of the food web and producing almost 50% of the oxygen in the world. The majority of marine life begin as plankton, starting their lives as floating larva including crabs, snails, fish, and so many more. Here in the Indian River Lagoon, however, plankton have a bit of notoriety associated with them. They are known to be key players in harmful algal blooms, events which have caused major losses in seagrass as well as fish kills over the years.

Project Plankton seeks to expand understanding and awareness concerning biodiversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations in the Northern IRL. MDC’s community scientists, or trained volunteers, are at the forefront of data collection and educational outreach. They work to empower people outside of the scientific community to pay attention to and act on behalf of the health of their local waterways.

Further, Project Plankton brings scientific equipment such as microscopes, petri dishes, and live plankton samples to classrooms across Volusia County to engage students in the use of the scientific method as well as plankton’s critical role in ecosystem health and human survival.

Have a look at our current Plankton Catalog — here you can explore the various types of plankton we have observed so far in the Northern Indian River Lagoon.

Forever Explorers 

Join in with some of MDC’s important conservation work during these free workshops! Activities may include site and shoreline cleanups, creation of shoreline restoration materials, invasive species removal, and more! These programs are open to the public and are for participants 18+. Advanced registration is required. Click here to view and register for any of our upcoming Forever Explorers conservation workshops!

Learn more about our entire lineup of Forever Explorers programs including boat trips, kayak excursions, and land-based programs . . .