Join us every Thursday this fall, in person or online, for an evening of learning, hosted by local experts, researchers, and conservationists exploring marine life, coastal ecosystems, and wildlife rescue across New England. Each week features a different speaker and topic, from ocean sunfish rescues to sea turtle rehabilitation to coastal resilience planning.

When: Every Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 PM

Where: 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA, or attend online

Preregister Here: Book now(opens in new tab)  

Schedule:

• Sept 17 – Rescuing and Researching Marine Misfits of New England — Krill Carson (Founder & President, New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance). A look at NECWA’s work rescuing and researching unusual marine wildlife like ocean sunfish and Atlantic torpedo rays along Cape Cod Bay.
• Sept 24 – Horseshoe Crab Biology, Fisheries, and Medical Uses Explained — Brett Hoffmeister. An in-depth look at horseshoe crab biology, the bait and biomedical fisheries that rely on them, and the history and future of endotoxin testing using Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL).
• Oct 1 – The Sights and Sounds of Wetlands and Wildlife — Carlos Fragata. An immersive, sound-filled tour of Massachusetts wetlands and the amphibians and reptiles that call them home.
• Oct 8 – Shellfish Aquaculture — Mike Coute (Hatchery Manager, Scallop Bay Shellfish Company) Shellfish are not only beneficial commercially but environmentally, especially here on Cape Cod, where oysters and bay scallops help filter and clean local waters, removing excess nitrogen that damages coastal ecosystems. Mike will discuss how oyster, clam, and bay scallop seed are raised from broodstock to market-ready animals at SBSC’s hatchery in Pocasset.
• Oct 15 – Marine Science Field Work: Research to Experiential Learning — Dr. Heather Burton (Massachusetts Maritime Academy). Oceanographic research from cruises around the world and how fieldwork shapes both science and student learning.
• Oct 22 – International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) — Speaker to be announced
• Oct 29 – The Best Year Yet for OLAUG — Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage. The story of the Cape Cod group of women divers and paddlers who’ve removed thousands of pounds of trash from local ponds.
• Nov 5 – Coastal Resilience in Practice: Observations from Falmouth — Joshua Wrigley, Falmouth’s first-ever Coastal Resiliency Coordinator. How Falmouth’s 68 miles of coastline are being protected from sea level rise and climate change, including beach and dune nourishment efforts and ongoing projects.
• Nov 12 – Cape Cod’s Sea Turtles — Lisa Meeks. An inside look at the four sea turtle species found in Cape Cod waters, cold stunning, and the rescue-to-release journey each fall.