Discovery 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. All lectures will be held monthly on the 1st Thursday* from 6-8 p.m. in our Learning Lab unless otherwise noted. *There are two lectures in September and NO lecture in December.

2026-27 Schedule

September 3 | Zach Zacharias, The Brown — Return to Prehistoric Florida

*September 17 | Angie Herman, NSB Residents’ Coalition — Renovation of the Historic NSB Woman’s Club

October 1 | Volusia County Environmental Management, NSB Turtle Trackers, Volusia Turtle Patrol, & Canaveral Nat’l Seashore — 2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Panel Discussion

November 5 | Joan Tague, Halifax River Audubon Society — Music Lessons: The Science of How Birds Sing

January 7 | Julie Albert & Joel Cohen, Blue World Research Institute — North Atlantic Right Whales Update

February 4 | Derek Demeter, Seminole State College — Astronomy Night: Sea Creatures of the Sky

March 4 | Danny Young, Young Bear Environmental Consultants — Right Tree, Right Place: Best Trees for Your Yard

April 1 | Cora Berchem, Save the Manatee Club — Manatees and Challenges They Still Face

May 6 | Lauren Barth, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission — Living With Neighborhood Wildlife