Echoes of the Ocean: A Marine Life Speaker Series
Join us for a captivating evening as part of Echoes of the Ocean: A Marine Life Speaker Series, an inspiring program designed to spotlight marine science, conservation, and the ongoing mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and release at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This series features distinguished voices in marine research and ocean advocacy, offering guests a unique opportunity to connect with leaders shaping the future of our oceans.
Upcoming Talks:
Feeding Outside the Box: The Extraordinary Feeding Behaviors of Wild Dolphins
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Clearwater Marine Aquarium | Dolphin Tale Theater
Join us for the next Echoes of the Ocean, Feeding Outside the Box: The Extraordinary Feeding Behaviors of Wild Dolphins, as we explore the remarkable ways dolphins have learned to find and capture their food. The evening will begin with Lindsay Roland, director of conservation education at Clearwater Marine Aquarium introducing common dolphin feeding behaviors before diving into some truly extraordinary adaptations found in the wild. Lauren Rust of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network will explore strand feeding, an incredible behavior in which dolphins work together to push fish onto shore, propel their bodies out of the water to capture them, and slide back into the sea. Laura Engelby of the Dolphin Ecology Project will take us to Florida Bay to uncover the fascinating world of mud ring feeding, where dolphins create rings of mud that cause fish to leap from the water and into their waiting mouths. Finally, Jessica Powell of NOAA Fisheries will remind us that these remarkable animals are exceptionally capable of finding their own food and do not need help from humans, exploring how illegal feeding can change natural behaviors and create serious consequences for both dolphins and people. Discover how intelligence, learning, and adaptation have shaped some of the most extraordinary feeding behaviors in the animal world.
- 5:30 pm
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Doors Open
4th Level Dolphin Tale Theater
- 6:00 pm
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Speaker Session
4th Level Dolphin Tale Theater
- 7:45 pm
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Q&A Session
4th Level Dolphin Tale Theater
Tickets
- General Admission
- $30
- Students (Ages 8+)
- $10
- Members
- 10% OFF
Limited ticket availability. Advanced reservations are highly encouraged.
Ticket pricing is subject to change.
Topics & Speakers
Feeding Outside the Box: The Extraordinary Feeding Behaviors of Wild Dolphins
Lauren Rust
Founder / Executive Director – Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network
Lauren Rust is the founder and executive director of Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network. She received her BS in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston in 2004 followed by her MSc in Ecology from the University of Wales, UK, in 2007. Before founding LMMN, Lauren managed the research department at The Marine Mammal Center in CA managing the necropsy lab, various research projects and leading the large whale recovery team. Lauren has also worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) responding to sick and injured marine mammals in South Carolina and the Environmental Specimen Bank at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) here in Charleston. Recently, Lauren joined the marine biology graduate program at CofC as a faculty member to mentor students. She’s passionate about marine mammal research and education and hopes to bring a greater awareness about Charleston’s local dolphin population to the Lowcountry.
Laura Engleby
Marine Mammal Conservationist and Founding Member – Dolphin Ecology Project
Laura Engleby is a marine mammal conservation specialist with nearly 40 years of experience across research, education, nonprofit service, and federal leadership. Her work is grounded in science-based conservation, collaborative problem solving, and meaningful engagement with the people and communities who share the ocean with marine life. A founding member of the Dolphin Ecology Project in 1999, Laura has long been committed to public outreach and to raising awareness of the importance of marine mammals and healthy oceans. She previously served over 20 years with NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region, where she worked on the conservation and recovery of species including Rice’s whales, North Atlantic right whales, and bottlenose dolphins.
Jessica Powell
Small Cetacean Conservation Coordinator – NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
Jessica Powell is the Small Cetacean Conservation Coordinator at NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office based in St. Petersburg, FL. She coordinates and develops policy, regulations, outreach, and conservation actions for dolphins and toothed whales throughout state and federal waters from Florida to North Carolina, the Gulf of America, and US Caribbean. Jessica has been with NOAA Fisheries in a variety of roles since 2009. She holds a Master’s in Science from University of South Florida and Bachelor’s of Science from Furman University. She began her career at Mote Marine Lab as a research trainer for a spinner dolphin and as a sea turtle rehabilitation care technician. Her research interests include bottlenose dolphin foraging ecology and the impacts of climate change and human activities to bottlenose dolphins. Outside of work, Jess enjoys paddle-boarding, dancing hula, and spending time outside with her husband, two children, and dog.
Lindsay Roland, M.S.
Director of Conservation Education, Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Lindsay Roland is the Director of Conservation Education at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where she oversees the educational eco-boat tours, summer camps, and educational programming. She also serves as the principal investigator on Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s NOAA-permitted dolphin photo-identification study. Lindsay graduated from Furman University with a degree in Biology and then went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Marine Science at Jacksonville University where she conducted her thesis research on the synchronous swimming of bottlenose dolphins. Before joining the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Education team in 2015, she gained valuable experience at both Dolphin Research Center and Mote Marine Laboratory. She enjoys being able to share her passion for dolphin research and marine conservation to inspire guests of all ages about the incredible world of marine science.
Deep Minds: The Intelligence of Seals & Sea Lions in a Changing Ocean
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Discover the incredible intelligence of seals and sea lions during an unforgettable evening of marine science and conservation at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The evening will begin with a special presentation from members of Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Animal Care Team, highlighting the Aquarium’s new Pinniped Pier exhibit and sharing insights into its design, purpose, and the seals and sea lions that call it home.
Seals and sea lions are among the ocean’s most intelligent and adaptable mammals. In this engaging presentation by Dr. Peter Cook, explore the remarkable cognitive abilities that allow these animals to thrive. Dr. Cook will share fascinating stories, including a sea lion that can keep a musical beat and a harbor seal that learned to mimic human speech, you’ll discover what pinnipeds have taught scientists about animal intelligence. The presentation also examines how their cognitive flexibility influences their interactions with people, from navigating human-made waterways to adapting to environmental change, and how these behaviors create new conservation challenges in our rapidly changing oceans.
Whether you’re fascinated by animal behavior, marine conservation, or simply love seals and sea lions, this evening offers a unique opportunity to hear from a leading expert and gain a deeper appreciation for some of the ocean’s most charismatic and intelligent marine mammals.
We Are All Whalers
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Dr. Michael Moore, renowned veterinary scientist and right whale expert from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will share insights from his powerful book “We are All Whalers,” which reveals the hidden ways our everyday choices impact the survival of North Atlantic right whales and other marine life. Drawing on over 30 years of research in marine mammal health, Dr. Moore challenges audiences to recognize their shared responsibility in protecting whales and offers practical actions we can all take to ensure their future.
Lessons from 55 Years of Studying Dolphins on Florida’s West Coast
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Join us for a talk with Dr. Randall Wells, Director of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program—the world’s longest-running study of wild dolphins. For over 50 years, Dr. Wells has led groundbreaking research on dolphin behavior, health, and survival, from the impacts of boat traffic and red tides in Florida to efforts to protect the endangered vaquita in Mexico. A global leader in marine mammal science and conservation, Dr. Wells brings unmatched insights into the lives of dolphins and the challenges they face in today’s oceans.
An Evening With Dr. Sylvia Earle
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Clearwater Marine Aquarium | Dolphin Tale Theater
Our upcoming speaker is none other than Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic’s Explorer at Large. With more than six decades of groundbreaking exploration, Dr. Earle has led over 100 expeditions, authored more than 240 publications, and spent thousands of hours beneath the surface advocating for our blue planet. She is the founder of Mission Blue, a National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence, and former Chief Scientist of NOAA. Dr. Earle’s work has earned her Time Magazine’s title of “Hero for the Planet”, a Library of Congress Living Legend designation, and the TED Prize, among many other global honors.
This exclusive event will take place in CMA’s Dolphin Tale Theater on the fourth floor, where guests will also enjoy access to our ArtSEA Conservation exhibit space before and after the presentation.
Superheroes of Manatee Conservation
Thursday, June 6, 2024 · 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
We are excited to welcome Superheroes of Manatee Conservation, Dr. James “Buddy” Powell and Jamal Galves, as we explore the ongoing efforts and challenges of protecting these gentle giants. Dr. Powell, one of the world’s leading experts on manatees, will share stories from a lifetime of manatee research, including introducing Jacques Cousteau to the manatees in Crystal River when he was just a teenager.
Jamal Galves was just a young boy in Belize when he met Dr. Powell; he will reminisce about that fateful day, how it led to his passion to protect manatees, and his extraordinary career as the “Manatee Man.”
These two superheroes have worked to protect manatees in the U.S. Caribbean, Central America, and throughout their range; we are excited to bring these efforts to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in our new Manatee Rehabilitation Center. We will hear about this new facility, rehabilitation efforts, and the manatee in our care from CMA’s Manatee Manager, Tanya Ward.
Q&A Panelists
- Dr. James “Buddy” Powell – Chief Zoological Officer & Executive Director – CMA/CMARI
- Jamal Galves – Belize Program Coordinator – CMARI
- Monica Ross – Director of Manatee Research & Conservation/ Senior Research Scientist – CMARI
- Dr. Anmari Alvarez Aleman – Caribbean Research Director – CMARI
- Tanya Ward – Manatee Care Manager – CMA
- Martine de Wit, DVM, MS, – Research Scientist at Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
The Journey of the Rice’s Whale
Thursday, March 7, 2024 · 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
This first event will feature the fascinating story of a newly discovered species of whale found in the Gulf of Mexico, formally named the Rice’s whale in 2021. After years of research, scientists used genetic and morphological evidence to determine that the Rice’s whale is a distinct species. The Rice’s whale is one of the most critically endangered species in the world with fewer than 100 individuals remaining.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium | Dolphin Tale Theater
Q&A Panelists
- John Ososky – Museum Specialist, Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History
- Laura Engleby – Marine Mammal Branch Chief, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
- Gretchen Lovewell – Program Manager Stranding Investigations, Mote Marine Laboratory
- Denise Boyd – Associate Research Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
- Dr. James “Buddy” Powell – Chief Zoological Officer & Executive Director- CMA/CMARI
- Dr. Joy S. Reidenberg – Comparative Anatomist
Join us for our next Speaker Series talk!
Upcoming dates:
November 12, 2026
Feeding Outside the Box: The Extraordinary Feeding Behaviors of Wild Dolphins
January 28, 2027
Saving One of America’s Rarest Whales: The Next Chapter for the Rice’s Whale
March 18, 2027
The Right Whale: Tales of Resilience and Hope
May 6, 2027
The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Sharks: Signs of Recovery and Hope for the Future of Our Oceans
Explore our ArtSEA Conservation exhibit!
Access exhibits on the 4th level, featuring our ArtSea Conservation exhibit during the evening.
Become a Speaker Series Sponsor!
echoes_speaker_series_sponsorship_package_print-1Net proceeds from this event benefit Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s ongoing mission to rescue, rehab, and release more marine life.
Please Note:
- In order to purchase or consume an alcoholic beverage, guests must be 21 or older. Additionally, you will be required to present valid identification to verify your age.
- All prices and event details subject to change. Refunds are not available for special events. Late arrivals, cancellations, and no shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.
Dress attire is casual.
Please note that while we encourage a relaxed and comfortable dress code for this event, we kindly request that guests refrain from wearing bathing suits or any overly revealing clothing. We ask that appropriate clothing be worn to cover the torso and be suitable for public spaces. This may include items such as t-shirts, blouses, shorts, jeans, skirts, and dresses. Shoes or sandals are also required.
We reserve the right to refuse entry or ask guests to leave if their attire does not comply with our dress code policy. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a fun and enjoyable event for all.