spacer
spacer graphic spacer ABOUT HARBOR BRANCH
spacer
  space holder   FRIENDS OF HARBOR BRANCH
spacer
  space holder   OCEAN DISCOVERY CENTER
spacer
  space holder   EDUCATION
spacer
 
spacer
  space holder  
spacer
  space holder  
spacer
  space holder  
spacer
  space holder  
spacer
  space holder  
       
                             

newsletter View Newsletters Recieve E-bulletin

events
 

 Tues, May 22     VIP Tour for HBOI/Members & Guests-Reservations required. 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at the Ocean Discovery Center at 9:30am. Join us for a morning of shoreline discovery on the Indian River Lagoon.

Wed, May 23 at 7pm

The Other Side of Harbor Branch: Conservation on the Scrub Ridge
Presented by Dr. Jon Moore
Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University

About the Lecture
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution was established in 1971 along the shoreline of the Indian River Lagoon. Large tracts of land were purchased at the inception of HBOI, but have remained relatively undisturbed since then. As the east coast of Florida has continued to develop over the decades, this undisturbed land at HBOI has become a de facto nature preserve. One particularly endangered habitat preserved along the west side of HBOI's property is Atlantic Coastal Ridge scrub. This presentation will describe research on and conservation of the endangered plants and animals found in scrub habitat.

Johnson Education Center, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University,  5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL.  Telephone 772-242-2506.

Tues, June 5       Eco-Boat Trip-departs from Harbor Branch’s Johnson Ed Center. Take a trip aboard the pontoon boat “Gator” to see birds, dolphins, turtles, manatees, and more. Departing 10:30am with lunch on the water from Harbor Branch’s Link Port Café, and return by 1pm. $40 pp. for members of the Friends; $50 pp. for nonmembers. Reservations required. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations.

Wed, June 13    Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, Stuart, FL. 9 am till 1 pm. Meet at the Ocean Discovery Center to carpool down Hutchinson Island to the only house of refuge remaining of the ten built along the Treasure Coast at a time when sailing ships dominated world commerce. Enjoy a VIP tour of the original building and stories of historic shipwrecks by the keeper, Jim McCormick, and picnic lunch (included) on the porch overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Underwater Archaeological Preserve. Return after lunch. $20 pp. members; $25 pp. nonmembers. Reservations required. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations.

Sat, June 23        Hot Dog Party and Book Signing. Ocean Discovery Center, 11am-1pm. Professor Clark The Science Shark is a new children’s book inspired by Harbor Branch’s own scientist and explorer Dr. Brian LaPointe. The authors will be on hand, along with Harbor Branch scientists and representatives from Shark Savers and COAST (Coastal Ocean Association of Science & Technology), to sign books and answer questions. $5 donation includes hot dog, soda and chips. Proceeds to “Feed the Fish.” Call (772) 242-2559 for information.

Wed, June 27    VIP Tour for HBOI/Members & Guests-Reservations required. 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at the Ocean Discovery Center at 9:30am. Explore special spots on campus. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations. Open to the public this summer as space allows.

Thurs, July 12     Chill at the Johnson Education Center and watch Dolphin Tale. 1pm-3pm. This 2011 family film was inspired by the true story of “Winter,” a bottlenose dolphin that was rescued in 2005 off the Florida coast. Stephen McCulloch of HBOI’s Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program will introduce the film and talk about marine mammal rescue in Florida. Free admission. Hot dogs and popcorn available. Call (772) 242-2559 for information.

Wed, July 18      VIP Tour for HBOI/Members & Guests-Reservations required. 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at the Ocean Discovery Center at 9:30am. Explore special spots on campus. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations. Open to the public this summer as space allows.

Sat, July 21          Bioluminescent Kayak Tour at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Dinner at Dixie Crossroads (on your own). Depart Cracker Barrel near junction of Route #60 and I-95 (the outlet mall of Vero Beach) at 4:30pm. Return around midnight. During the warm summer months the waters of the Indian River Lagoon come alive with bioluminescence. Tiny dinoflagellates make the water light up and speeding fish become underwater fireworks. Then, huge schools of flying mullet make your evening one you will never forget! $35 pp for kayak trip. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations.

Tues, July 24      Special Friends’ Project. 11am-1pm. $20 pp. members; $40 pp. nonmembers (lunch included). Only 48 seats available. Small group VIP venue with Dr. Shirley Pomponi presenting a talk about Undersea Exploration: Past, Present, and Future. Dr. Pomponi is an ocean explorer who has led numerous research expeditions worldwide and has made more than 300 dives in Harbor Branch’s Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles. She will speak about manned and unmanned submersibles, her current research at Harbor Branch, and notable deep sea accomplishments. Her talk will be followed by a buffet lunch in the Johnson Education Center Gallery prepared by Harbor Branch’s Link Port Café. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations.

Tues, July 31     Eco-Boat Trip-departs from Harbor Branch’s Johnson Ed Center. Take a trip aboard the pontoon boat “Gator” to see birds, dolphins, turtles, manatees, and more. Departing 10:30am with lunch on the water from Harbor Branch’s Link Port Café, and return by 1pm. $40 pp. for members of the Friends; $50 pp. for nonmembers. Reservations required. Call (772) 242-2559 for information and reservations.


     FAU CALENDARS

spacer
bottombox
Harbor Branch Oil Spill Response
Take Action


From Megan Davis, Ph.D.
HBOI Associate Executive Director

For the past four decades, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at FAU has been conducting research in the Florida marine ecosystems that are at risk for damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, making Harbor Branch an exceptionally valuable resource in the drive to understand and address this ecological tragedy. Through this work, we have amassed a wealth of data on species likely to be affected, from microscopic phytoplankton and sea grasses to dolphins and whales, providing a record of what life was like before the disaster. The data can be used to help us understand the effects of exposure on these species, as well as the potential outcomes as the contamination is relayed up the food chain.

Along with historic data, Harbor Branch scientists and engineers can bring current understanding and capabilities to bear on this evolving situation. Beyond the ability to assess the immediate effects of the spill on water quality and organisms in the open ocean, our expertise at depths both shallow and great provides a unique understanding of the coral reefs and other species that populate the ocean floor. Our ocean engineering and technology capabilities, which include development of sensors and undersea imaging techniques, enable us to characterize and monitor the affected environments.

As part of a marine mammal stranding network, we can respond when affected dolphins and whales are encountered, and act to help the sick or determine what happened to those that die. If the oil reaches our estuaries and shores, our work with oyster reefs, sea grasses, mangroves and salt marshes will help us gauge impact on those marine species. When the time comes for restoration of environments and stock enhancement of species, our aquaculture expertise can support the natural recovery processes.

How You Can Help

Here are three ways you can help us respond to the environmental crisis:

Donate

http://fauf.fau.edu/HBOIfund

Make a gift in support of FAU Harbor Branch research and support research efforts to study the complex impact of the spill and the long-term restoration work required in Florida.

Volunteer

www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org

The Florida Wildlife Commission is coordinating volunteer interest for wildlife rehabilitation. Please see the guidelines for becoming an oiled-wildlife rehabilitator.

Spread the Message

Connect to FAU websites to get the latest updates on FAU efforts. Use e-mail, Facebook and Twitter to help us get the word out that FAU and Harbor Branch are taking an active role in this disaster and everybody’s participation can make a difference.

FAU Harbor Branch Facebook

FAU Harbor Branch Twitter

 
 
 
 
 
 
FAU Campuses: Boca Raton/Davie/Dania Beach/Fort Lauderdale/Jupiter/Treasure Coast Boca Raton Campus Danie Beach Campus Davie Campus Fort Lauderdale Campus Harbor Branch Campus Jupiter Campus Treasure Campus
Boca Raton Campus Danie Beach Campus Davie Campus Fort Lauderdale Campus Harbor Branch Campus Jupiter Campus Treasure Campus
 Last Modified 5/13/11