Where people & ideas come together to understand and explore the Indian River Lagoon!
Join us on Thursday, April 10 as we bring awareness to conservation issues impacting the Lagoon and our community through the sharing of student and professional programs and projects that are making a difference.
Our 2025 event will be held from 9 am-2:30 pm at the Brannon Center at 105 S Riverside Drive in New Smyrna Beach.
ShORE is FREE to attend | Register online today!
Online registration closes at 5pm on April 4th. Day-of registration will be available.
This year’s theme, A Look Back in Time, highlights the history of life in and around the Lagoon. Presentations from experts on the IRL will help us understand how lessons and information from the past can contribute to solutions for the future. Up-and-coming high school and undergraduate students will share their research ideas and inspire the community.
The keynote presentation will feature an original production, The Indian River Estuary in Concert by students at Rollins College. Experience the story of the IRL like never before, through stories, sounds, and music.
Online registration closes at 5pm on Friday, April 4. Day-of registration will be available.
Lunch will be provided for those who have preregistered.
If you register day-of please bring a lunch or plan to visit one of our many local restaurants within walking distance of the Brannon Center.
Interested in being a judge for our student presentations?
Register online as a judge and you will receive details from our planning committee.
ShORE Tentative Agenda
Morning Session
8:30am Arrival
9:00am Welcome, Carley Metcalf, MDC Education Coordinator / ShORE Emcee
Chad Truxall, Executive Director – Marine Discovery Center
MDC Rhizophora Conservation Hero Award
9:10am Mayor Fred Cleveland, New Smyrna Beach
9:15am Professional Presentation
Greg Holbrook, Executive Director, New Smyrna Museum of History
Kailey Richard, Florida Tech
Danny Young, Young Bear Environmental Consulting
10:30am Morning Break / Poster Viewing
10:45am Student Presentations
12:00 pm Lunch / Poster Viewing
Afternoon Session:
1:00pm Keynote Concert – The Indian River Estuary in Concert
2:00pm Afternoon Break
2:15pm Student Awards
2:30pm Closing Remarks
Schedule subject to change as event nears. Please check back for additional details!
Community
A collaborative event that engages the community in the sharing of research, education and conservation efforts centered around the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding coastal ecosystems
Education
An opportunity for high school and undergraduate students to work with faculty and other professionals to share their research ideas, projects and programs
Stewardship
A cross section of scientists, artists, educators, conservationists, business leaders, policy makers, and other stakeholders focused on the management, care and conservation of the IRL and surrounding coastal ecosystems
But don’t take our word for it. . .
“It was amazing to see so many people involved in our community and contributing to the research and conservation of our IRL ecosystem”
“I thought ShORE was really fun and very interesting. It was so cool to learn about what’s happening with the Indian River Lagoon.”
“Thank you so much for inviting Deland High School to the Shore conference. My students had a lot of fun! They said they learned a lot, and they also said it was good to see the connections with what they were learning in AP Environmental Science with the research that was being done if the Indian River Lagoon. I think they enjoyed the student presentations the best. They enjoyed talking with students from local universities. It was a great day!”
“I would just like to thank you for our invitation to the SHORE Symposium this year. Our school has never attended in the past, and we are so thankful to get to be a part of it this year. None of us knew what to expect, but I will say we were pleasantly surprised. They had such a great time being able to see the education that they are receiving being implemented in real life.”
“The presentations by students were so amazing and I loved the hands on tables for the students to engage in. I also got to see my first sea turtle in the wild since I’ve moved here to Florida!!! He/she swam up to the surface in the bay as I was hanging outside during lunch. It was so neat.”
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For questions or additional info about ShORE, please contact [email protected]
Our Mission:
"To protect our coastal ecosystems through education, conservation, and exploration"