Beneath the Waves

Invasive Species & Exploring Martin County’s Coral Reefs & Conservation

Did you know that right here in Martin County lies the very northern extent of the Florida Coral Reef? The Florida Coral Reef is the world’s third largest barrier reef and extends 350 miles from the St. Lucie Inlet to the Dry Tortugas. Join us to learn about this iconic and hugely important ecosystem as well as some of the ways citizens can get involved in reef conservation. We will also learn about one of the most historic invasive species living on our reefs, the infamous lionfish.

Emily Dark is the Senior Environmental Resource and Ecotourism Program Manager for Martin County. In this position, Emily gets to work for the Office of Tourism & Marketing and the Environmental Resource Division and leads Explore Natural Martin, Martin County’s new ecotourism program. Emily has a passion for the diverse ecosystems in Florida and loves to explore everything from the offshore reefs to the forests and springs. Emily has a Masters in Conservation Biology and loves to surf, SCUBA dive and hike.

Lauren Theis is the Coastal Program Coordinator for Martin County. In this position Lauren gets to work for the office of Environmental Resource Division, Coastal Management. She manages Martin County’s Artificial Reefs and Natural Coral Reefs. Lauren has found a love for Florida’s distinct biology, from exploring the mangroves to snorkeling the reefs. Lauren has a Bachelors in Marine Biology with a emphasis in coral restoration, and loves yoga, paddleboarding and fishing.

For added convenience, FREE transfers from the Elliott Museum are available from 1:00PM, 1:20PM and 1:40PM.

Please RSVP by calling (772) 225-1875 – Seating is limited!

Lecture included with regular admission to the House of Refuge. FREE TO MEMBERS!