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Whether you’re a small fry or big fish, there’s plenty to love about Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor alike. Learn about both these amazing environments and Mote Marine Laboratory’s research in them during Mote’s spring and summer education programs, which are open this year to participants in a wider geographic area than ever before.

Registration is now under way for marine science education programs ranging from kid- and family-friendly activities to adult lectures and on-the-water explorations in Sarasota, home to Mote’s main Lab and public Aquarium, and Charlotte Harbor, an important location for Mote research and the site of new education and outreach programs launched in 2013.

• Details and registration information for all programs: www.mote.org/education

• Mommy and Me in Sarasota is also up and running with excellent marine science programs for kids age 2-5 and their favorite adults.
  When: Programs every Thursday from Feb. 28 – April 25 feature classroom activities and visits to an exhibit in The Aquarium at Mote. Programs every Tuesday from March 5 – April 30 allow participants to explore coastal habitats by wading in the water and collecting marine animals with dip nets. Mommy and Me will also feature a “Swim into Summer” party on May 2.
  Where: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota
  Information and registrations: www.mote.org/mommy

• Ocean Lectures That Are Never Dry: Mote’s Special Lecture Series
  Mote is currently hosting its Sarasota-based Special Lecture Series featuring world-renowned marine experts. Lectures are geared toward audiences from high school through adult. Tickets are on sale now and will be available until 3 p.m. on the day of each lecture, or until sold out. Tickets must be purchased in advance to guarantee your seat.  
  When: 7:30 p.m. Mondays through March 11
  Where: Mote Marine Laboratory’s Immersion Cinema, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota
  Information and tickets: www.mote.org/lecture
  Upcoming lectures:
• Feb. 25: “Sick and tired of being sick and tired: How Diseases are Devastating our Coral Reefs” by Dr. Erinn Muller, Mote Postdoctoral Fellow
  
• March 4:“Harmful algal blooms (“red tides”) in the Gulf of Maine: From Climatology to Forecasting” by Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy, Senior Scientist in the Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• March 11: “Conservation of Marine Mammals: What It Is and What It Isn’t.  A Case Study for Manatees and Dugongs” by Dr. John Reynolds, Director of the International Consortium for Marine Conservation and Manager of the Manatee Research Program at Mote

• Kayaking Programs in Sarasota
  You can kayak with the early birds (or night owls) and discover the remarkable environments studied by scientists at Mote. All kayaking equipment is provided and classes begin with basic kayaking instruction. Programs are for age 11 through adult. Kids under 14 must attend class with an adult.  Kids ages 14-18 may attend on their own, but must bring a notarized Medical Treatment Authorization form.
  When:

o       Sunrise Paddle:  7:30 – 9 a.m. March 16, April 20 and May 18

o       Morning Paddle: 10-11:30 a.m. March 9, April 6 and May 18

o       Full Moon Paddle: 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 25, March 27 and April 25

Where: Programs based at Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota.
Information and registrations: www.mote.org/kayak

• Mote Summer Camps
  Registration is now open for Mote’s Summer Camps for pre-K through grade 12 beginning in June. Camps feature on-water explorations of Sarasota Bay, digital learning programs and even journeys to the Florida Keys for grades 7-12.    Information and registrations: www.mote.org/summercamp

• *Mote’s Science Café
  Mote’s Science Café in Charlotte Harbor brings together marine scientists and local audiences for a discussion about current Mote research and how it relates to the community. The next Science Café, entitled "The Culture of the Silver King: A discussion about the past, present and future of Charlotte Harbor's tarpon fishery,”  will be led by Dr. Aaron Adams, Senior Scientist with Mote's Fisheries Habitat Ecology Program, and Sean and Brooks Paxton, the “Shark Brothers” of Think Out Loud Productions.  Event is for college age and older. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
  When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14
  Where: River City Grill: The Tavern, 131 West Marion Ave., Punta Gorda
  Information: www.mote.org/charlotteharbor
  RSVP required: Please contact Rachael Kraemer at: 941-205-3970, ext. 103 or rkraemer@mote.org

• *Mote’s Boca Grande Lecture Series
  Learn about fish and other marine species of Charlotte Harbor from the researchers who study them during Mote’s Boca Grande Lecture Series.
  When: 2 p.m. on March 26 and April 18.
  Where: Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First Street West, Boca Grande
  Information: www.mote.org/charlotteharbor
  Upcoming lectures:

• March 26: “The Shark Initiative: Continuing a Legacy of Boca Grande-Charlotte Harbor Shark Research” by Dr. Robert Hueter, associate vice president for research in Mote’s Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation
• April 18: “Snook & Tarpon Stock Enhancement and Habitat Protection Initiative: Replenishing Fish and Protecting the Places They Live” by  Dr. Ken Leber, associate vice president for research in Mote’s Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Dr. Kevan Main, manager of the Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Research Program at Mote

• *Mote’s Punta Gorda Lecture Series
  When: 7:30 p.m. April 5, 11, 17, 24, 29 and May 9
  Where: Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda
  Information: www.mote.org/charlotteharbor
  RSVP required: Please contact Rachael Kraemer at: Rachael Kraemer at 941-205-3970, ext. 103 or rkraemer@mote.org
  Upcoming lectures:
• April 5:  Snook, Dr. Jim Locascio, post-doctoral scientist at Mote
• April 11:  Dolphins, Kim Bassos-Hull, senior biologist, Dolphin Research Program at Mote
  
• April 17:  Sea Turtles, "Ridley Riddles Unravel in Florida,” Dr. Tony Tucker, manager of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program
• April 24:  Sharks, Dr. Robert Hueter, associate vice president for research in Mote’s Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation
• April 29: Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Strandings: Speaker TBD
• May 9: Florida Red Tide, Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, manager of Mote’s Environmental Health Program