Monthly Public Lecture Series
Public Lecture Series
MDC’s Monthly Public Lecture Series provides a forum for the community to learn about Florida’s Coastal & Indian River Lagoon Ecosystems and surrounding habitats. Qualified staff & guest speakers will share their knowledge about a vast array of topics including plants and animals, water quality, citizen science, local conservation efforts, and much more!
Our public lectures are FREE and open to the public but advance registration is required.
Our next lecture: Wednesday, March 1 • 10am | Lunch and Learn at MDC with Audubon
Come join us on the grounds of the Marine Discovery Center on Wednesday, March 1 for a tour of the bird-plant garden with the Southeast Volusia Audubon Society (SEVAS) chapter. SEVAS installed the bird-friendly plants adjacent to the center’s restored salt marsh to attract birds and pollinators. Learn which plants were used for the garden, which birds the plants have attracted, and why these gardens are important to the ecosystem. The presentation is free and will take place at 10 a.m., followed by a bag lunch on the grounds at MDC with Florida Master Naturalist Lisa Mickey. For easiest access to our Bird Garden, please park in our large West parking lot.
Unless otherwise specified, our lectures will occur on the 3rd Thursdays at 6:30pm in our Learning Lab or outside at Hunter Amphitheater.
View some of our past public lectures below…
Invasive Species of Florida
April 16, 2020
Coyotes
August 20, 2020
Right Whales
January 21, 2021
Bird Migration
April 15, 2021
Florida's Springs
July 15, 2021
Sea Turtle Conservation
October 21, 2021
Migratory Birds
February 17, 2022
Timucua of Volusia County
May 19, 2022
Chatting with the Chads
September 15, 2022
Bird Walks at MDC
May 21, 2020
Florida Weather Myths
September 17, 2020
Horseshoe Crabs and Human Health
February 18, 2021
Honey Bees
May 20, 2021
Diamondback Terrapins
August 19, 2021
2021: A Year in Review at MDC
November 18, 2021
NSB Coastal History
March 17, 2022
Giant Ground Sloth
July 21, 2022
Climate Change & Coastal Resilience
July 16, 2020
Seahorse Research
October 15, 2020
Microplastics in the IRL
March 18, 2021
Manatees in the IRL
June 17, 2021
Seagrass
September 16, 2021
Right Whales
January 20, 2022
Otters
April 21, 2022
Sharks
August 18, 2022

Our Mission:
"To protect and restore Florida's coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems
through education, research and community stewardship."