Brown Bag Lunch Lecture

Location

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
300 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34113
(239)417-6310

Date and Time

• Wed, Nov 5, noon - 1 pm
• Wed, Dec 3, noon - 1 pm
• Wed, Jan 7, noon - 1 pm
• Wed, Feb 4, noon - 1 pm
• Wed, Mar 4, noon - 1 pm
• Wed, Apr 1, noon - 1 pm

Description

Join us for a free lunch-time presentation by scientists doing research in South Florida on a variety of interesting environmental topics.

Nov 5
You are What You Eat: Stable Isotopes and Estuarine Ecology
Many biologically important elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, have multiple naturally occurring stable isotopes. These isotopes participate in chemical reactions at slightly different rates, leading to changes in concentration known as fractionation. By looking at the differences in these isotopic ratios between various samples, it is possible to determine the pathways by which these materials were obtained by an organism and the transformations they have undergone. In a ecological context, this allows scientists to look at the sources of nutrients supporting an ecosystem and to determine what are the materials that are important to the diets of various species. Greg’s work in Rookery Bay has focused on using American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) to look at variations in food supply to various parts of the Henderson Creek estuary. This talk will examine what we can learn about changes occurring in the estuary through space and time through the use of stable isotope biogeochemistry.

Dec 3
Sea Turtle Monitoring and Management in Collier County
Greg Curry of the Rookery Bay Reserve and Mary Toro with the Collier County Natural Resources Department discuss the various issues facing sea turtles today, review findings by Collier County Natural Resources Department and explain protection and monitoring efforts being conducted by Rookery Bay Reserve and other partners within Collier County..
 

Jan 7
Cypress Cannibals
Join us as Dr. Maureen Bonness' talk "The Case of the Cannibal Cypress", research regarding the formation of cypress knees.

Feb 4
Management of Shellfish Harvest Areas in Southwest Florida
Join us as Chris Brooks speaks about Aquaculture in the Reserve.

Mar 4
To be announced

Apr 1
Tracking Florida Panthers
Roy McBride with Big Cypress National Preserve presents on tracking methods and behavior of Florida panthers in the preserve.

Notice: Program activities are subject to change. Please call for verification.