Visitors are invited to discover how Mote got its start on Charlotte Harbor's coast during a free special lecture on Thursday, Jan. 17 in Punta Gorda — the first of Mote's brand new education programs in Charlotte County.
The lecture, entitled "Mote Marine Laboratory — Past, Present and Future" will be held at the PGI Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda. The lecture begins promptly at 7:30 p.m., with check in starting at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Michael Crosby, Senior Vice President for Research at Mote, will share how Mote was founded in 1955 as a one-room lab in Placida and will reveal the latest developments at the Lab, now a world-class marine research institution based in Sarasota and hosting exciting new programs in its original home, Charlotte Harbor.
Mote's new educational offerings will continue with another free program this month in Charlotte County. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, the lecture topic will be "Science Café: Go Fish!," a discussion about how dolphins and humans hunt for fish. That event will be held at Laishley Crab House, 150 East Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, with the discussion beginning at 6:30 p.m., and registration beginning at 6:00 p.m.
“Go fish” is much more than a game for devoted anglers and for dolphins catching prey. Learn about the skills needed to make the catch from Kim Hull, Senior Biologist in the Dolphin Research Program at Mote, and from Charlotte Harbor angler Josh Olive, Publisher of WaterLine Weekly Magazine. This Science Café allows guests to join the discussion. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
You are invited to RSVP for Mote's Special Lecture on Jan. 17 and Science Café on Jan. 30 by contacting Rachael Kraemer at 941-205-3970, ext. 103.
In 2012, Mote had the opportunity to create new education programs in Charlotte Harbor thanks to a donation from Regions Bank, which provides an office in Punta Gorda, and a grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District and Charlotte County to support our new educators. Programs beginning in 2013 include Mommy and Me (ages 2-5 with a favorite adult), Behind the Science (6 and older), Summer Camps (grades 1-4), Lecture Series (high school and older) and Science Cafés (college and older).
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Mote is dedicated to today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year.
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