2021 Marine Pollution Symposium
Barrier Island Parks Society and Mote Marine Laboratory will host a fascinating virtual series on Zoom March 16, 23 and 30 at 4pm EST. This is a free educational symposium and part of BIPS 4 BIPS Forums & Lecture Series! RSVP for one, two or all three segments and join us for current issues and solutions, presented by top experts in their fields, to help foster a healthier future for generations to come.
Each speaker will present for 15 minutes, followed by Q&A.
RSVP at barrierislandparkssociety.org
Session 1 March 16, 2021 4pm
Dr. Maia McGuire Patterson
Associate Director for Extension and Education
IFAS/Sea Grant
Dr. McGuire was awarded a NOAA Marine Debris Outreach and Education grant to start the Florida Microplastic Awareness Project. Dr. McGuire will present an overview of the impacts of plastics on our environment.
Dr. Dana Wetzel
Senior Scientist and Program Manager: Environmental Lab for Forensics
Mote Marine Laboratory
Are nanoplastics making their way into animals’ livers, lungs, brains, or reproductive organs, and if so, what are the impacts? Dr. Wetzel aims to help answer that question through cutting-edge research on nano and microplastics. Mote’s goal is to ensure that the best available science shapes decisions about plastics—decisions that affect the oceans’ future and our own.
Sajel Dodia
Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator
Keep Lee County Beautiful
Keep Lee County Beautiful is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and engaging the community in improving, beautifying, and protecting our environment. Sajel will share the types of pollution found at clean-ups in local areas, pollution statistics, and ways communities can make a positive impact.
Highlights of session 2 & 3:
Session 2 March 23, 2021 4pm
Dr. Melanie Peel
DVM Intern with the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
Plastics impact on a growing seabird conservation crisis
Dr. Kim Bassos-Hull
Senior Scientist with the Shark and Ray Conservation Program, Education, and Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory
Impact and solutions focus on dolphins and sharks/Washed Ashore Program.
Dr. Erinn Muller
Senior Scientist & Program Manager for the Coral Restoration and Coral Health and Disease Programs at Mote Marine Laboratory
Impact and solutions focus on coral
Session 3 March 30, 2021 4pm
Nicole Iadevaia
Research and Outreach Manager with Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP)
Impact and solutions focus on estuaries
Ashley Hill
FL & Caribbean Regional Coordinator for NOAA’s Marine Debris Program
Impact and solutions focus on marine debris
J.P. Brooker
Director of Florida Conservation at Ocean Conservancy
Marine conservation and ways to make a positive impact
Together, we can make a positive change! The annual BIPS 4 BIPS Forums & Lecture Series is one more way BIPS collaborates and shares our mission of over 30 year to inspire the exploration and preservation of our natural and historic treasures.
BIPS 4 BIPS stands for Barrier Island Parks Society for Barrier Island Protection Series, featuring top experts in their field presenting topics that are important to SW Florida. In this ongoing effort, BIPS’ goal is to educate and inspire stewardship of our irreplaceable barrier island assets for future generations. This season’s BIPS 4 BIPS Forums & Lecture Series includes the Marine Pollution Symposium and Red Tide Forum in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratories. RSVP for these programs online at:
www. barrierislandparkssociety.org
BIPS serves local communities in Lee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties in SW Florida, and inspires and educates visitors from all over the world who explore nature and history at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum, Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, Amory Memorial Chapel and in our four affiliated barrier island Florida State Parks, Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla and Stump Pass Beach.
Learn more about BIPS at wwwbarrierislandparkssociety.org.
Learn more about Mote Marine Laboratory at www.mote.org