The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium will start the new year by expanding upon its educational mission with a new lineup of lectures, classes, field education, and learning experiences.

 

The Museum’s 2025 Season Lecture Series features talks by prominent authors and scientists.  The series includes:

  • January 22: Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen by Keri Watson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Art History, University of Central Florida
  • February 13: Shellfish Aquaculture in Florida: Its Status and Potential in a Rapidly Changing State by Stephen Hesterberg, Ph.D., Executive Director, Gulf Shellfish Institute
  • March 13: Exploring the Atlantic Canyons: Searching the Deep Ocean for Cephalopods and Other Marine Life by Dr. Elizabeth Shea, Director of Collections and Curator of Mollusks, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
  • April 3: The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of New York Harbor’s Oysters by Mark Kurlansky, Author

 

All lectures begin at 5:30pm and will be held at the Museum on Sanibel. Full descriptions and registration information is available at ShellMuseum.org/in-person-lectures. The Presenting Sponosor of the 2025 Season Lecture Series is Bank of the Islands.

 

New classes span a range of scientific and creative subjects related to shells, mollusks, and their ecosystems. They are designed to be accessible to beginning enthusiasts and experts alike. The first session on January 7 prepares students to become a Museum Shell Ambassador volunteer and educate and engage with beachgoers and fellow shellers. Classes include:

  • January 7: Shell Ambassador Certification, taught by Dr. José H. Leal, Science Director and Curator; Jorden Falker, Associate Director of Education; Jessie Macaluso, Marine Biologist
  • February 17: Marine Biology and Beach Field Lab, taught by Jorden Falker, Associate Director of Education; Chris Whitt, Marine Biologist and Collection Assistant
  • February 26: Sleuthing with Shells, taught by Dr. José H. Leal, Science Director and Curator
  • March 29: Paint and Sip in the Galleries, taught by Laura Ball, Artist

 

Classes will be held at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium. Class times, full descriptions, and registration information is available at ShellMuseum.org/classes.

 

An expanded program of field education includes shell, mollusk, and biodiversity explorations on beaches, coastal ecosystems, and natural areas on the islands and throughout Lee County. Some programs feature a community science aspect, whereby participants make observations in the field and record data that contributes to scientific research. Field education programs include:

  • Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls. Held at Lighthouse Beach, Sanibel. January 29, February 12, March 27.
  • Live Mollusk Counts. Held at various beach locations, Sanibel. March 11, May 25.
  • Snail Search and Biodioveristy Walks. Held at various natural areas throughout Lee County. December 11, January 16, February 7, March 24.

 

Program start times vary. Times, full descriptions, and registration information is available at ShellMuseum.org.

 

About the Museum: The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is a natural history museum and aquarium, and the only museum in the United States devoted primarily to shells and mollusks. Its mission is to use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences, and science to be the nation’s leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation, and celebration of shells, the mollusks that create them, and their ecosystems. For more information, please visit ShellMuseum.org or call (239) 395-2233.