Florida Keys
Wildlife Society
Supporting the National Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys through education, non-adversarial advocacy, volunteerism and fundraising
Lecture Series 2024-2025 Season
November 2024 to April 2025
National Key Deer Refuge Nature Center, 30587 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key.
Learn more about the fascinating island ecosystem found in the Keys, develop an understanding of the ecological importance of the vibrant wildlife naturally found here and discover new ways to enjoy these natural surroundings. Join us in this season of Lectures and guided walks on flora, fauna, wildlife and outdoor pursuits in the Florida Keys. Speakers include experts, researchers, scientists and community members from local non-profits and government agencies. A broad range of topics will be presented to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
All events – lectures and guided walks are Free and Open to the Public. Complimentary refreshments.
Doors open at 6.30pm, Lectures start at 7:00pm and run till 8.00pm
**RESCHEDULED** TO Thursday April 23, 2025, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Kirsten Hines, Wildlife Photographer
Originally scheduled for March 20, this lecture will now take place on April 23rd.
Love Nature? Kirsten Hines will share stories of Florida wildlife. Kirsten is an author, wildlife photographer, and conservationist. Kirsten will take you on a journey from the Florida Panhandle to the Dry Tortugas. Prepare to see Florida’s nature in a whole new light, and to be inspired to act to protect Florida wildlife. This free, family talk is Thursday Mar. 20th at the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge nature center on Big Pine Key, 30587 Overseas Hwy.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Lecture starts at 7:00pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
Thursday April 10, 2025, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Celia Leto, Manager, Coral Reef Research and Restoration Laboratory, Summerland Key
Celia Leto is the Coral Reproduction Laboratory Manager at Mote’s Coral Reef Research and Restoration Laboratory on Summerland Key. She will share her work on using selective breeding to produce more resilient populations of endangered coral species for reef restoration and research
Doors open at 6:30pm. Lecture starts at 7:00pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
Thursday February 27, 2025, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Florida Keys Wildlife Society Photo Club presentation
Phil Dodderidge, President of the photo club, and Colleen Fuller, FKWS board member, will talk about how to take great photos in the National Wildlife Refuges in the
Florida Keys. See some examples of the photos taken by them. Learn more about the club.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Lecture starts at 7:00pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
Thursday January 30, 2025, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Dr. Heather Stewart, Biologist, Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges
Dr. Heather Stewart is a Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex biologist based at National Key Deer Refuge overseeing monitoring and research at three Lower Keys refuges including Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuges. Before joining the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Heather worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in the Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration section.
In addition to a PhD in Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability from McGill University, Heather has a Masters in Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Michigan State University and studied Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation at the Galápagos Institute for the Arts and Sciences.
Heather’s talk will focus on the story of freshwater in National Key Deer Refuge and its importance to plant and animal communities.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Lecture starts at 7:00pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
Thursday January 9, 2025, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Kristie Killam, Wildlife Photographer and Retired Refuge Ranger
“Stories of Nature from the Florida Keys”
Kristie will talk about her adventures as a park ranger, behind the lens and through the seasons, as depicted in her new book, and she will be available to sign copies.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Lecture starts at 7:00pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
Thursday December 12, 2024, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Dr. Corey Malcolm, Historian, Florida Keys History Center
“From Slave Ship to Submerged Florida”
Dr. Malcom, a noted marine archaeologist, will speak about the search for the remains of a London-based slaver wrecked on New Ground Reef in 1700 and evidence they found of a long-submerged paleo-Florida landscape. Malcom will explain the history of the Henrietta Marie and how prehistoric Florida figured into the search for the shipwreck.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Lecture starts at 7:00pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
Thursday November 14, 2024, 6:30pm – 8:00pm MELODY TUSCHEL, MONROE COUNTRY RECYCLING COORDINATOR
Learn about the County’s Solid Waste and Recycling programs and how they benefit our environment.
Lecture starts at 6:30pm. Free and open to the public.
Light refreshments provided. Capacity is limited to 52 attendees.
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