Florida Oceanographic Society - Stuart, FL

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Leslie Blanchard!

A little more than 10 years ago, Leslie Blanchard came face-to-face with a nesting leatherback sea turtle as she walked the beach one night near her Hutchinson Island home. Leslie was immediately hooked. “This turtle looked like a sci-fi crocodile or a small submarine, and she paid me no mind as I walked by,” says Leslie. “I ran home like a little kid, and the next day, I signed up to volunteer at a local sea turtle nature center. I’ve been fascinated and delighted by them ever since.”

Shortly thereafter, Leslie’s interest in sea turtles led her to answer Florida Oceanographic Society’s call for volunteers in the newspaper. She began as an exhibit guide at the touch tank and then advanced to become both a ray and turtle presenter. Leslie helped Education Specialist Michelle Byriel in forming the Florida Oceanographic’s nighttime sea turtle walk program, and was lead turtle scout for more than eight years. Over the past decade Leslie has given nearly 1,600 hours of service at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center.

“I really enjoy the look on our visitors’ faces when they touch or feed a ray for the first time and when they learn about sea turtles, their hatchlings and their importance to our beaches,” notes Leslie. “I love meeting new volunteers and helping them learn more about all our animals and exhibits, too.”

When Leslie answered the Coastal Center’s newspaper ad, she and her husband Doug had recently retired to Stuart. Leslie’s long career as a federal agent with the Central Intelligence Agency took her all over the world. “It was 25 years of traveling and/or living in Hong Kong and the Orient, all over Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America,” she says. “I’ve stood on the equator, rode a camel to the Pyramids in Egypt, met Mother Teresa in India, photographed animals in their natural habitats in Africa, and slept under my bed in Vietnam. My assignments varied from administrative work to investigations to many top-secret assignments.”

Though Leslie spent her career in the CIA, she has a talent for teaching, and earned bachelor’s degrees in both business and education at the University of Lamar in Beaumont, TX. “I thought a government job would be just the thing for a few years, then I’d return to Texas and teach school,” she explains. Now, she’s teaching the Coastal Center visitors about rays, turtles and smart environmental stewardship.

“I’ve volunteered in many places, and this is one of the happiest,” says Leslie. “I enjoy the family atmosphere with staff and volunteers, and I love the volunteer interactions, meetings and parties during the year. I plan to continue learning and volunteering at Florida Oceanographic for a long time.”

Leslie Blanchard Snapshot
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Favorite eats: Flanagan’s Seafood Bar & Grill for ribs or hamburgers
Special skills: Rappelling, shooting machine guns, go-go dancing
Hobbies: Tennis, quilting, Zumba and Drums at the YMCA
Top reads: Covert operations mysteries
Next trip: Cruising the Fjords of Norway

Meet Jerry Appell!

Call it karma, fate, serendipity or just plain good luck: right about the time Jerry Appell offered his mechanical engineering skills and marine experience to Florida Oceanographic Society as a volunteer, the Coastal Center was looking to expand with a new Gamefish Lagoon. Jerry joined the Facilities Committee in 2002, and was instrumental in the design and completion of one of the Coastal Center’s most popular exhibits, a 750,000 gallon gamefish lagoon showcasing local fish species.

“I’d worked in oceanography all of my life as a mechanical engineer, first for the Navy, and then for NOAA. When we moved to the Palm City area, the Coastal Center was a great place to volunteer,” says Jerry. “I enjoyed being involved in every aspect of the Gamefish Lagoon, from exhibit design to coordinating the installation with the contractor. I also helped select and install the seawater pump system. It was a lot of fun.”

Jerry and his wife Marika, a beauty salon owner, retired from Washington, DC to central Florida in the late 1990s. The couple moved to their Palm City home to be closer to their son in Fort Lauderdale. Since 2002, Jerry has given more than 2,400 hours of service to the Coastal Center. A lifetime tropical plant lover, Jerry has guided visitors on the Coastal Center’s 1 mile Nature Trail for close to 15 years. When the Nighttime Sea Turtle walks began seven years ago, Jerry and Marika signed on right away, a role they continue today. Jerry counts bobcat and loggerhead sea turtle sightings among the extraordinary experiences he’s had as an FOS volunteer.

When they are not at the Coastal Center, Jerry and Marika enjoy time with their five grandsons, who are between the ages of 5 and 13. Jerry’s many interests include kayaking locally and around the state, and caring for his backyard trees, orchids and bromeliads.

Jerry is currently working with Dr. Pam Hopkins to refine Florida Oceanographic Society’s water quality reporting program. “This past year I started working with Dr. Vincent Encomio (Director of Scientific Research) on the water quality data,” says Jerry. “It’s critical data, and our goal is to make it more useful in the community.”

Jerry Appell Snapshot:
Born in: Long Island, NY
Next trip: Grand Canyon with two grandsons
Favorite read: Time magazine
Top TV pick: detective series Bosch
Member of: Martin County Orchid Society

Meet Mary Jo & Jim Askew

A tennis match that started love-love in Atlanta ended in love for long-time Florida Oceanographic Society’s volunteers Mary Jo and Jim Askew. About 15 years ago, Mary Jo and Jim became tennis friends after meeting on a volunteer committee, and shortly after that, sweethearts. The newlyweds settled in Highlands, North Carolina and began spending winters in Stuart, where Mary Jo grew up. The couple has together given countless hours to Florida Oceanographic Society over the last 10 years.

“The Nature Trail was my initial assignment at the Center, and about three years ago, I joined the Board,” says Mary Jo. “Being on the Board gives me an inside look at our operations, and really underscores how vital our mission is to the community.”

“I first saw Hutchinson Island as a participant in a 5K race sponsored by the Center, and I fell in love with it,” adds Jim. Several times a week he pedals his three-wheeler along the two-mile stretch of Ocean Boulevard adopted by Florida Oceanographic, stopping to pick up litter along the way. Jim was also a runner on one of the two volunteer Florida Oceanographic relay teams in this year’s Treasure Coast Marathon.

Before the couple met, University of Florida alumna Mary Jo taught high school English in Atlanta, raising two children with her first husband before he passed away. Jim, an Alabama native, practiced radiology for many years in Atlanta after doing his undergraduate work and two residencies at Emory University. He served in the Navy for two years, and threw his daughter’s first birthday party on the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga. After Jim retired, he served as Medical Director for the Olympic Village – a volunteer role – during the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.

These days Jim spends as much time outdoors as possible, playing tennis, hiking, gardening and jogging. Mary Jo enjoys kayaking trips around the state of Florida. She chaired Florida Oceanographic’s annual Golf Tournament in 2016 and 2017, and the couple also assisted with the Lights on the Lagoon event this past holiday season.

“We started volunteering at Florida Oceanographic because it is so precious to the environment,” says Mary Jo. “We knew immediately we wanted to stand tall with this group, and we plan to make FOS part of our lives for a long time to come.”

Snapshot of the Askews
First date: A game of tennis
Restaurant pick: Port Salerno’s King Neptune
Jim’s green thumb: Dahlias and veggies
Mary Jo’s favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Out on the water: Kayaking trips with Hutchinson House

Meet Marko Sillanpaa

Lake Worth native Marko Sillanpaa knew of Florida Oceanographic Society growing up, but it wasn’t until he became a Martin County parent that he began to visit the Coastal Center regularly. His four-year-old daughter loves “the fishy place,” so when Marko began looking for volunteer opportunities a year ago, FOS was a solid fit.

“I’m at my computer most of the day working from home, so I wanted to find a place I could volunteer outdoors,” says Marko. “In our visits to Florida Oceanographic, I realized FOS seemed to have fewer volunteers during the summer, so I started as an off-season exhibit guide on Tuesdays. It was there that I learned about research opportunities.”

Marko is part of FOS’ growing Green Team, the group charged with care of the Butterfly Garden, landscape around the Center and more recently, the Shade House. “The Shade House was originally a place to park plants until we found a home for them, but we’ve realized that local homeowners who take advantage of our oyster reef restoration in the waters near their homes are also interested in native plants for their backyards. We’re growing wild coffee plants, grasses and other native species.”

Marko works in enterprise document management, a growing field that involves use of technologies to manage document creation, organization and storage across large companies. He is applying his skills and expertise to help FOS evolve digitally. He is also part of the team working with the Florida Oceanographic’s Director of Scientific Research, Dr. Vincent Encomio, on a joint research project with Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.

The Coastal Center has become a favorite place for both Marko and his family. The Sillanpaa family also has plans to chase the solar eclipse this summer. “We’re going to start in St. Louis, and then drive to wherever the best viewing sites will be depending on the cloud cover,” says Marko. “I hope it’s one of those trips that will be a great memory for my daughter throughout her lifetime.”

Marko Sillanpaa Snapshot
Alma mater: Florida Atlantic University
Family time: Visits to the beach to picnic and fly kites
Hobbies: Kayaking, biking
Favorite eats: Carmella’s Pizza & Wine Bar
Honors: 2017 Community Spirit Award by global industry group AIIM

Meet Doug Ditmars

Growing up in Pennington, New Jersey, Doug Ditmars spent hours exploring the woods near his home. He never outgrew his love of the outdoors, and it was the nature trail that caught his eye when he first visited the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Now, nine years later, Doug has given more than 900 volunteer hours as a Nature Trail Guide and Gamefish Lagoon presenter.

“The nature trail is so unique to a person from the Northeast,” says Doug. “I’ve enjoyed learning about the mangroves, the plants and all of the wildlife along the trail, and I love being able to share it with visitors. Sometimes I teach them, and sometimes they teach me, and I can pass that learning along.”

Doug and his wife Jane retired to Stuart in 2008 from Easton, Pennsylvania, where Doug was an orthopedic surgeon, and Jane taught elementary school. While Doug gives his time to Florida Oceanographic, Jane volunteers teaching kindergarten and adult literacy. The couple makes frequent road trips to Rhode Island to visit their daughter, her husband and two grandsons, ages three and seven. They also like to spend time with their son in Pennsylvania.

Doug is a devoted birdwatcher and fisherman. He and his brother fish the local waters together on Doug’s boat, often preferring their fly rods to other types of fishing. Doug also likes fly tying. His time on the water translates into enthusiastic discussions with visitors about gamefish in the Coastal Center’s Gamefish Lagoon and getting people interested in fishing. Which is exactly the reasoning behind the Coastal Center’s annual Game Fish & Fish Games, an event coming up on March 19^th to boost kids’ skills, knowledge and interest in fishing.

Seining with visiting school groups, and oyster shell bagging are Coastal Center activities Doug also enjoys, but his favorite volunteer role is Nature Trail Guide. “I’ve seen bobcats on the trail, and one day, this enormous yellow rat snake emerged as we were talking about the black mangroves near the third boardwalk,” says Doug. “It’s a very special place.”

Doug Ditmars Snapshot
Cupid’s tale: Married 49 years to his high school sweetheart
Latest read: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, by Fredrik Backman
Favorite fins: Trout, large-mouth bass, tarpon, snook
Hobbies: Tennis, birdwatching, fly tying, fishing
Best eats: Riverwalk Cafe & Oyster Bar, Shrimper’s, Duffy’s

Meet Laura Elsenboss!

A molecular biologist by trade, volunteer Laura Elsenboss has spent nearly 150 hours in the last year engaging visitors at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center’s touch tanks. Sharing marine science with guests of all ages is work she loves, and it builds on her previous experience as an exhibit guide at the Waikiki Aquarium in Hawaii.

“This is an interesting volunteer role for me,” says Laura. “I like learning about the local marine life, and I really enjoy interacting with our visitors. The education we provide here lays the groundwork for their engagement and advocacy.”

Laura and her husband are long-time outdoor enthusiasts. The couple retired from Connecticut to the Stuart area in 2014, and then spent the next eight months bicycling on a 6,000-mile cross-country trip that took them through the northern Midwest and ended in San Diego. They camped their way back to Florida over the rest of the year, tackling U.S. Fish & Wildlife trail volunteer projects along the way.

Laura’s career in the pharmaceutical industry spanned nearly 24 years, and included a year-long stint in Hawaii. After retiring, her plan was to seek outdoor volunteer opportunities that would draw on her science background and interest in community education. She’s found her niche with Florida Oceanographic Society.

“As a volunteer, I want to be challenged and use all of my skills. The opportunities to get involved with FOS have been a great fit with my skills and interests, and my desire to support environmental stewardship in my community.”

Since starting in the spring of 2016, Laura’s been involved with oyster shell bagging, the Lights on the Lagoon event, and crafting oyster-shell angel ornaments for sale in the gift shop over the holidays. She’s given marine science presentations at the nearby Hutchinson Island Marriott, a partnership that delights the resort’s visitors while also increasing awareness of the Coastal Center and its mission of environmental stewardship. This year she also plans to expand her role within the Coastal Center’s Education Department by helping with school groups that visit the Coastal Center.

“The education the Coastal Center provides for young visitors is so important – it sets them up for lifelong learning and interest in the marine ecosystems around us,” notes Laura. “And, kids impact their parents’ thinking and behavior. I’m hopeful that our education and outreach efforts can make a difference for families as well as in the larger community.”

Laura Elsenboss Snapshot:
Family ties: Husband John, 7 grandkids across the U.S.
Favorite flicks: Titanic, Star Wars saga
Hobbies: Biking, cooking all kinds of cuisine
Famous for: Halloween 2016 cardboard Starfish costume
Latest project: Building and stewardship of Treasure Coast YMCA’s new Little Free Library

Meet Cheryl Wlodarski

Since moving to the Stuart area in 2015, volunteer Cheryl Wlodarski has become up-close and personal with a critical part of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) ecosystem: seagrasses, through her work with Florida Oceanographic Society’s (FOS) research department. Cheryl has been highly involved in the Florida Oceanographic Seagrass Training Education Restoration (FOSTER) team, by working to restore seagrass in the lagoon. The team surveys private properties in the area and obtains owners’ permission for seagrass restoration work. FOS volunteers attach seagrass plants onto “mats” about a square foot in size, and Cheryl has donned her mask snorkel to plant the mats into the lagoon’s sandy floor.

“When I moved here, I knew I wanted to learn as much as possible about the ecosystem, and how we can rebuild and protect it,” says Cheryl. “The seagrasses provide habitat, nurseries, and food for many marine species, so they are essential to the health of the IRL. It’s very fulfilling work.”

Cheryl also helps to maintain the seagrass nursery tanks located behind the research lab, and participates in FOS’s monthly seagrass survey. FOSTER relies on the maintenance of these nursery-grown seagrass fragments to support ongoing seagrass restoration. She retired from her career as a middle school science teacher in California when her husband Stephen’s work brought them to Florida.

“Our school in San Diego was adjacent to the San Diego Zoo,” says Cheryl. “We shared teaching resources and a community garden with the zoo – it was like having our own back door to this amazing place. I’m so glad I’ve been able to continue using my science background and skills. Florida Oceanographic is also an amazing place to be.”

Over the last 10 months, Cheryl has given close to 200 hours to Florida Oceanographic through various volunteer roles including her work with the seagrass and as an exhibit guide. She also is a water quality tester.

“We can work to protect the environment in a lot of different ways here,” notes Cheryl. “Everything we do, from the seagrass surveys to oyster shell deployment to talking with Coastal Center visitors helps. I’ve even recruited my next-door neighbor as a volunteer. It’s great to be involved!”

Cheryl Wlodarski Snapshot:
Born in: California
Coastal kids: A son in NC, a daughter in NY
Go-to movie: On Golden Pond
Favorite eats: pasta, pasta, pasta, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Hobbies: Gardening, kayaking, paddle boarding
Has also volunteered for: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, Molly’s House

Meet Paul Laura

Though he began volunteering at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center just over a year ago, Paul Laura is already heavily involved in habitat restoration for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Paul initially became involved in the Florida Oceanographic Oyster Restoration (FLOOR) program, a program that recycles oyster shell back into the IRL to facilitate new growth. Oysters play a vital role in the ecosystem and a healthy oyster can filter 30-50 gallons of water per day. Paul is also working as a part of a team headed by the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce on a joint Hooked mussel research project comparing filter-feeding properties of Hooked mussels and oysters.

“Mussels provide high levels of water filtration, just as oysters do,” says Paul, who often bikes to the Center. “I wondered, ‘How can mussels help clean up the IRL?’ There’s nothing documented about mussels in this area, so we’re doing research to compare the filtration and digestion of algae by mussels versus oysters.”

Business and technical management was a part of Paul’s work career. Before he took early retirement, Paul spent many years with multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company with diverse brands such as Fruit of the Loom, Duracell, Kraft Heinz, and Oriental Trading Company. Through his work, Paul, his wife Mary and son Michael spent more than a decade in Germany and Holland.

“While we were living overseas, my son had volunteer requirements, both locally and outside of Germany as part of his curriculum at the Hamburg International School he attended. Our whole family became involved with his volunteer work,” notes Paul. “Michael traveled to Ghana and Sri Lanka; once to help build a school, and later to Sri Lanka to assist in the cleanup after a tsunami. Participating or supporting some of these experiences reinforced how satisfying it is to give of your time. With retirement, one has even more opportunity to do it.”

Though Paul spent much of his career in management, he holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in science. His last position before retiring involved a new product development acceleration process for Research & Development at Berkshire Hathaway.

When Paul and Mary moved permanently to the Jensen Beach area in 2015, Paul pursued an interest in marine biology at the Coastal Center after reading of the extensive efforts being made by FOS under the leadership of Mr. Mark Perry. He is a key volunteer for the research department through his involvement with oyster shell baggings and deployments, monitoring oyster and seagrass populations, water quality testing and other projects, as well as helping the organization with advocacy, community outreach and special events. He also shares his time on projects at the Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce.

“The IRL is a unique and very special ecosystem, and it’s under attack,” says Paul. “It’s going to take a continued effort to get it headed back in a positive direction. I’m very pleased to be allowed a part in this effort by FOS, SMS and the Martin County Community to restore the living shoreline as seen many years ago.”

Paul Laura Snapshot

New Year’s Eve hotspot: Sailor’s Return
Favorite author: Clive Cussler, Siddhartha Mukherjee
Fresh interest: Learning Dutch
Skilled at: pickle ball, tennis, golf
Travel plans: South Africa, New Zealand

Meet Ginny Douglass!

On Friday mornings, Stuart native Ginny Douglass combines her passion for gardening with her love of the ocean by volunteering at Florida Oceanographic Society. Ginny leads the Green Team, a group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining the Butterfly Garden and other memorial gardens on the Coastal Center’s grounds. She brings energy and spirit to her work, which includes greenhouse operations in the Shade House. Ginny recently earned her 1500-hour sticker.

“We’re always trying new things with the gardens to attract butterfly species and maintain natural gardening practices,” says Ginny. “We’re currently experimenting with fresh sargassum seaweed we collect out in the ocean as a natural fertilizer for the plants.”

Ginny’s love of the water began at an early age. Before she turned one, her father, a ship captain, moved the family from Connecticut to Stuart by boat. He went on to captain for film star and local legend Frances Langford for several years. He also built Ginny a small pram which she sailed up and down the St. Lucie for hours after elementary school let out. Today, Ginny and her husband Barry keep a 16’ flats boat for the Indian River Lagoon, and a larger boat for offshore fishing.

At Martin County High School, Ginny was close friends with Bonnie Pitman, sister to Florida Oceanographic Executive Director Mark Perry. It was this connection that led to Ginny’s volunteer service. After living in Maryland and then Ft. Lauderdale for 35 years, Ginny moved back to the Stuart area. She ran into high school friends who encouraged her to volunteer at the Coastal Center.

“About 11 years ago, we began as water testers and participated in oyster shell bagging,” notes Ginny. “I was also an exhibit guide for a few years. Then, an opportunity came up on the Green Team, and I was glad to get involved. I learned vegetable gardening from my mom, and at the Coastal Center, I’ve expanded to propagating and maintaining native plants. It’s a really good workout, too.”

“There’s so much you can do at the Coastal Center, and it helps so many people,” she adds. “It’s just a great place!”

Ginny Douglass Snapshot
Family: Husband Barry, one son, two granddaughters
Professional career: Chemist at Gillette
Favorite book: Watership Down
Another volunteer role: Girls’ softball coach
Skilled at: tennis, sailing, water skiing
Travel plans: Bermuda, Rocky Mountains

Meet Danny Rubino!

It was less than a year ago that Danny Rubino first visited the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, yet he’s already earned his 400-hour volunteer award sticker. “I was looking for a volunteer opportunity related to education and the environmental stewardship, and a friend suggested the Coastal Center. As soon as I visited, I knew this was the place I wanted to be.”

Danny works as an exhibit guide and sometimes helps with additional research projects. He also serves as a turtle scout for the annual turtle walks. A college softball coach for more than 15 years, Danny began volunteering for Florida Oceanographic Society during his recovery from colon cancer. His coaching experience and his passion for teaching make him a natural with the Coastal Center’s young visitors. He also holds an associate degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in history. “We’re a unique learning experience for children,” notes Danny. “Once they see all of the marine life here or touch a stingray, they’re hooked. I’m here to help spark that enthusiasm.”

A Florida native, Danny has a lifelong interest in the environment. He volunteered at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, and also worked as a turtle scout on several beaches before his coaching career took him to Georgia, the Carolinas and international tournaments. During this transitional time, he’s re-immersed himself in his interest, volunteering at the Hobe Sound Nature Center as well as at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Recently, he also took a part-time position at Jupiter’s scenic Riverbend Park, where he assists in designing education programs which integrate nature and history for elementary school students.

It’s clear Danny has a passion and a talent for helping people aim high, especially kids. With his mentorship, five of his former softball players are now in promising marine science careers. He has coached many high school students in sports camps and clinics, always offering advice on what they can do to prepare themselves well for success in college and beyond. When he finds a young visitor particularly interested in his touch tank marine life, he often secures a chance for that child to speak with one of the Center’s scientists or education staff.

“When I watch kids put their hands on a horseshoe crab or sea urchin in the touch tank, and they watch and touch something they wouldn’t normally see, it takes on a whole new meaning for that child,” says Danny. “I live for this stuff!”

Danny Rubino Snapshot
Recently read: Guns Across the Loxahatchee
Favorite eats: Pusateri’s Chicago Pizza
Hobbies: Snorkeling, kayaking, reading history books
Cheers for: His coaching friends’ softball teams
Alma mater: Young Harris College
State record-holder: “I was the smallest baby ever born in Florida at that time.”

Meet Intern Angelina Bruno!

Intern Angelina Bruno Likes Hands-On Learning at Florida Oceanographic

When Angelina Bruno decides to do something, she commits. Angelina volunteers 25-30 hours each week as an Animal Care Intern, helping to prepare food, clean habitats and target-train the many marine residents at Florida Oceanographic. On her days off, she is pursuing a degree in neuroscience at Florida Atlantic University.

“I’ve always wanted to work with animals, and thought I’d be a vet until I volunteered for an animal clinic,” says Angelina. “FAU’s neuroscience program will give me the science foundation I need for a career in animal behavior. With my internship, I’m learning all kinds of things I wouldn’t get in the classroom.”

Growing up in Jensen Beach, Angelina had visited Florida Oceanographic many times as a child. She felt it would offer a strong opportunity for gaining hands-on experience with animals. Since starting her internship in May, she’s already given more than 300 hours.

“I love the learning-by-doing here, and interacting with the animals has peaked my interest in so many ways,” notes Angelina. “For instance, I never really gave sharks much thought, but working with the ten nurse sharks here every day and seeing how they respond so quickly to target-training has led me to take much more notice of them.”

“If I had to pick a favorite task here, it would be interacting with the sea turtles,” she adds. “They all have such individual personalities. We clean their shells every week, and it’s clear that Turt really loves it! I’ve enjoyed getting to know each of them.”

When Angelina can take a spare moment from her college studies and volunteer work, she puts her energy into a charity she started with some friends about 18 months ago. The Jonathan Swanson Project (JSProject.org) aims to encourage education, support research, and bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention.

“I’ve learned that if you are going to do something, you should give it your all,” says Angelina. “You will earn the respect of the people around you, and you will get more out of it yourself. I’ve had the leeway to do that here at Florida Oceanographic, and it’s been a tremendous experience.”

Angelina Bruno Snapshot
Born in: Jensen Beach
Spare time: On the water in her 22’ Wellcraft
Hangout spot: Carson’s Tavern
Pets: 2 chinchillas and 2 cats
Favorite college class: Biological Basis of Behavior (how the brain works)

Meet Oyster Restoration Volunteer Tom Dee

Whether it’s fixing machines, helping to restore marine habitats or tending to lush Florida landscapes, Tom Dee has an interest in setting things right. Though this FOS volunteer moved to Stuart just two years ago, he’s already been a huge help to the Center’s research team, especially with habitat restoration.

“When my wife and I toured the Center, I saw the information on the Oyster restoration project (FLOOR), and it sounded interesting,” says Tom. “I started helping with the shell bagging and the deployment to create new reefs. Conserving the Indian River is the right thing to do, and I’m glad to be a part of it by helping to restore the oyster population.”

Though Tom was born at Naval Air Station Key West, he grew up in Massachusetts. He and his wife Eleanor, also a New England native, lived just outside of Boston during Tom’s career with GE’s Appliances Factory Service business. Visits to Eleanor’s family brought the couple to Stuart often over the years, and eventually, the lure of sunshine and consistently pleasant weather led them to settle in Stuart.

“We’ve always been very active outdoors - skiing, hiking, bicycling, tennis and golf are some of our favorite things to do,” notes Tom. “The winters in New England tend to close you in, though. We’re happy being able to hike and bike year-round here.”

In addition to FLOOR, Tom also volunteered with the Center’s effort to restore native plants, helping to plant 200 small mangrove trees near the Mansion at Tuckahoe. He’s worked on the quarterly seagrass survey as well.

Outside of FOS, Tom enjoys weekly landscaping work at his home, and for his sister- and mother-in-law, who live in houses just down the street in their Parkwood neighborhood. During football season, he and Eleanor never miss a Patriot’s game at Duffy’s. Tom names Key West as his favorite place to visit – he and Eleanor have returned there half a dozen times over the years after their honeymoon in 1979.

This summer, the couple will take up their volunteer work again at FOS and the Lyric Theater after a 30-day road trip up the East Coast to New England. “With the recent water crisis, it can be discouraging, but volunteers at the Oceanographic persevere,” says Tom. “Everything we do at the Center will make a difference.”

Meet Phil & Gerry Tafoya

Once a week, Phil and Gerry Tafoya serve as a water quality testing tag-team. Phil collects and tests a water sample off their dock on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, then Gerry emails the data to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center as well as the Marine Resources Council (MRC) in Vero Beach. It’s a weekly service the couple has been performing for 18 years since Florida Oceanographic Society began the water testing program in 1998. They’ve also provided the results to MRC for more than 25 years.

“We’ve always been drawn to be on or near the water, so we’ve always been involved with conserving it,” says Phil. “We’ve been on the Rivers Coalition Board of Directors, served as volunteers with the Sheriff’s Marine Unit, and been part of conservation leadership for a local fishing club. We feel it’s important to be as involved as we possibly can.”

With the wet season about to start, water testing provides important information to use in the fight to stop the discharges from Lake Okeechobee. These discharges from the lake into the St. Lucie River Estuary, Indian River Lagoon and the Caloosahatchee River Estuary have proven disastrous for the ecology of these waters. In fact, the Coastal Center recently amended its mission statement to include advocacy for the protection of the coastal ecosystems. The Tafoyas have taken up the battle personally.

“We were one of 22 plaintiffs in the Rivers Coalition lawsuit against the federal government to stop the discharges,” explains Phil. “For about four years, we were involved in meetings, we gave depositions, and it required quite a bit of time. The possible settlement was earmarked for water cleanup, but unfortunately, the suit was dismissed on a technicality [by the Federal Judge].”

In addition to water testing for the Florida Oceanographic Society, Phil and Gerry are always happy to take scientists and conservationists out on their boat for studies and data collection. Over the years, they’ve been actively involved in lagoon seining, and underwater sound studies related to spotted sea trout. They’ve achieved the life on the water in Florida they’d pictured when they closed their dental laboratory business on Long Island, New York about 25 years ago.

“It’s frustrating to see the discharges continue when the evidence of the damage is so clear,” says Gerry. “We can’t give up the fight, though. Protest, donate and get involved, but also be thoughtful in who you vote for. This is not just an environmental issue – it’s a very political issue too.”

Meet Rich Pontynen

FOS Volunteer Rich Pontynen Finds His Niche

Rich Pontynen found himself up to his chest in algae the first time he volunteered with Florida Oceanographic Society. It was a great beginning to his volunteer career. Rich has given nearly 2,000 hours over the last nine years to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, starting with scrubbing algae from the walls and floor of the Gamefish Lagoon.

“I first got involved with the Center through my wife Angie,” says Rich. “She was working at the admissions desk, and she mentioned the Center needed volunteers. Since that first day in the Lagoon, there’s always been something interesting for this hands-on guy to do.”

The couple explored Stuart at the suggestion of their son, who attended culinary school in West Palm Beach, and bought a home there in 2001. A certified public accountant, Rich retired in 2006 from his firm in Richmond, Virginia and they moved full-time to Stuart. Rich continues with a small tax practice and takes a sabbatical from the Center during tax season.

Over the years, Rich has contributed to the Center in a wide variety of ways. In the early stages of the Florida Oceanographic Oyster Restoration project (FLOOR), he worked originally with Heather Hitt's "oyster gardening" program at his home right off his dock. He now works with Dr. Vincent Encomio on FLOOR. Rich also helps Operations Manager Steve Rusnak with facility upkeep, including repairs, carpentry work and painting. For the last two years of the annual Swashbuckler fundraiser, Rich managed the food for the event. He interviewed, and with Center staff, helped contract with local food vendors and coordinated food donor contributions. During the event, he teamed up with his food service volunteers to help plate and serve the meals to the guests.

Rich has also played a critical safety role with the Ais Across the Lagoon kayak-paddle board event. “There are a lot of small craft crossing the Indian River Lagoon from the Sailing Center to the Coastal Center with this event,” he explains. “I enlisted some of my friends in the St. Lucie Power Squadron to help monitor boat traffic and alert the bigger boats to watch specifically for kayakers and paddle boarders in the area.”

Throughout his time at the Oceanographic, Rich has also served as a presenter at the Stingray Pavilion and Gamefish Lagoon. His hours often increase at this time of year, when many volunteers head to their summer homes and there are more time slots to fill with the daily presentations. “I like to help out and I don’t mind jumping in to do something new,” says Rich. “Everyone is great here – the staff, the volunteers and the visitors. I’m glad to do whatever I can to help the Center continue to expand.”

Meet Mary-Win O'Brien!

Volunteer Mary-Win O’Brien Helps to Connect the Dots

On any given day at the Coastal Center, you may find Mary-Win O’Brien talking with visiting students about snails and turtles. She volunteers with the Center’s education department to work with the many school groups that take field trips to the Center each week. Snails are a favorite topic of hers.

“When I ask the children where ocean snails get their shells, many do not know,” says Mary-Win. “That’s my cue to explain how snails make their own shells, and show them the egg casings they’ve seen on the beach but never really identified as something related to snails or seashells. Then, we talk about climate change and how the increasing acidity of the oceans can interfere with the snails’ ability to make their shells. We connect the dots in a way that gives them a deeper understanding of the ecosystem around them.”

Teaching has been a long-time interest for Mary-Win as well as a family tradition. Her grandmother was a teacher as was her brother and two nieces. Mary-Win pursued a law degree in school though, and her career as an attorney for the United Steelworkers of America kept her in Pittsburgh for many years. In her free time there, she volunteered for many education programs. When Mary-Win retired to Florida nearly 10 years ago, the role of exhibit guide at the Coastal Center was a great fit. Since 2009, Mary-Win’s given more than 650 hours of volunteer time to the Center.

Mary-Win was instrumental in connecting the dots in another way as well. As a turtle scout for the Coastal Center, she’s seen the majesty of sea turtles coming up onto Stuart Beaches to lay their eggs. In 2014, she also saw hatchlings' tracks heading not toward the ocean, but away from it, toward the bright lights of the Seabreeze Shoppes across from the beach. Hundreds of baby turtles may be lost in these “disorientation events,” when hatchlings mistake bright lights for the horizon and make their critical crawl for the ocean in the wrong direction.

Mary-Win worked with Publix – a good neighbor and supporter of the Coastal Center, Martin County, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Ecological Associates (the consulting company that tracks turtle nests and hatches on the beach), to change the lighting at Seabreeze Shoppes to be more turtle-friendly.

In her free time, Mary-Win volunteers for a local pre-school. She also spends as much time as she can scuba diving, and exploring the many diverse ecosystems of Florida.

“There are so many great learning opportunities at the Coastal Center for guests and for volunteers,” notes Mary-Win. “I love being able to learn and to pass that learning on to others, too.”

Meet Arthur Gardineer

Meet Versatile Volunteer Arthur

Though sea turtles, stingrays and snook are the big stars at Florida Oceanographic, behind the scenes it’s a data-driven organization. The Coastal Center’s volunteer army and its research projects run smoothly on information, technology, and Arthur Gardineer’s volunteer hours at the computer. A finance major with extensive administrative experience, Arthur assists with data entry for the Center’s volunteer operations and research efforts.

“This is rewarding work,” says Arthur. “I enjoy helping to move this work along so the Coastal Center’s staff doesn’t have to worry about it themselves.”

When he first became involved with the Center about two years ago, this versatile volunteer worked on oyster shell bagging and deployment, the sea grass survey, and the annual REEF fish count. Arthur has kept up with this field work, and says it’s helpful because he’s often charged with entering the data for these events as well.

Before moving to Florida with his family, Arthur spent many hours volunteering with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. This group of nearly 10,000 volunteers coordinates maintenance of nearly 2,000 miles of foot trails in the two states. There, he built up his experience with database work and back office operations.

Despite the differences in geography and climate, Arthur sees similarities in the environmental challenges facing the Indian River Lagoon and the Hudson River. He developed his interest in the environment as a child, when his father worked for the New York Department of Conservation. Arthur took several environmental studies courses in college, and has since pursued his interest through his volunteer work.

Though he appreciates the Coastal Center’s diverse marine life, Arthur’s favorite place to be is on the Nature Trail. “The Coastal Center has a beautiful campus. It’s very fulfilling to help with the quality work the Center does to protect the estuary and the environment.”

Dynamic Duo: Jerry & Lynne Snyder

Jerry & Lynne Snyder Share Their Time With FOS

When Lynne and Jerry Snyder decide to do something, they do it with gusto. Splitting time between their homes in Virginia and Stuart, FL originally meant taking their 35’ sailboat up and down the Intracoastal twice a year. When Coastal Center staff came to their condo clubhouse to talk about volunteering eight years ago, Lynne and Jerry signed up for Oyster Restoration – critical work that is also hot, physical and a little stinky. Currently the two are learning to become turtle trackers for the Center, so they spend winters and summers (yes, June and July) in Stuart. And they love it.

“We expected walking the Hutchinson Island beaches on summer nights would mean mosquitos, lightning and heat, and that’s not been the case,” says Jerry. “There’s nothing like seeing creatures who’ve been around for millions of years come right up out of the ocean to lay their eggs. It’s truly incredible.”

Married for 36 years, the couple is an all-purpose volunteer team, serving twice each week as turtle program presenters and exhibit guides. They are willing to do whatever needs doing at the Center, and have also worked in animal care and as phytoplankton monitors. A retired high school art teacher, Lynne helps guests with crafting on the Center’s monthly, themed Special Activity Days. “I really enjoy the interaction and teaching aspects of our work here,” says Lynne, who sculpts and paints in her free time. “There’s a lot of joy in getting kids involved with the animals in the tanks, and helping people understand more about the turtles and our beaches.”

A retired structural naval architect, Jerry enjoys cruising the ocean and Stuart area on the couple’s 19’ sailboat. They also sail Chesapeake Bay quite often in the spring and fall, and are active in their church. “FOS has more than 200 volunteers like us, and they are a great bunch of sincere, genuine people,” says Jerry. “We share a lot of the same values and the same interests. We have a lot of fun.”

“FOS has all kinds of needs for volunteers,” adds Lynne. “There are opportunities to use skills and pursue new interests. Everyone can find something that feels worthwhile.”

Meet Sharon Russell

Meet FOS Program Presenter and Exhibit Guide Sharon Russell

Being out on the water has been a priority for Sharon Russell throughout her life. As newlyweds, she and her husband traveled the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to Florida on their sailboat. The couple often sailed Lake Lanier near their home in Atlanta, and after retiring, they spent several years aboard their trawler cruising the Keys, the Bahamas, and back up the ICW to Canada. Now, as an FOS Program Presenter and Exhibit Guide, Sharon is experiencing the ocean in a different way.

“I started as a ray person, and then I asked to be a Gamefish Lagoon presenter,” says Sharon. “I knew nothing about these fish, so I had to learn them all. I learned the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. My own knowledge of marine ecosystems has increased tremendously through volunteering here. I truly enjoy it.”

During her medical sales career, Sharon logged more than two million frequent flier miles. She also honed presentation skills which she’s put to work for the Coastal Center during 1300 volunteer hours over the past several years. “We are volunteers but also an integral part of operations at the Center,” notes Sharon. “We take the mission of encouraging stewardship forward with the guests, which makes the time I spend here very meaningful to me. I also enjoy the camaraderie – the Center has attracted a great group of people.”

Though the Russells sold their trawler, Sharon still gets out on the water regularly to kayak with other FOS volunteers and kayak club members. The group often paddles the IRL, and takes part in the Center’s kayaking events.

Over a special two-month period in the summer, Sharon and her husband serve as turtle scouts for the Center’s nighttime turtle walks. The walks give guests a unique chance to observe sea turtles nesting on Hutchinson Island beaches without interfering in the nesting event. Sharon walks the beach starting at 9pm on these evenings, and alerts the Center when she spots a turtle coming onto the beach. “It’s an interesting way to experience the beach. I likely wouldn’t be out there at night otherwise,” says Sharon. “You get out in varying conditions, and a turtle nesting is such a special thing to see.”

“Turtle nesting is another area I had known about only superficially before the Coastal Center,” Sharon adds. “If you are thinking of becoming a volunteer, don’t be intimidated by a lack of knowledge about sea creatures. There are tremendous learning opportunities at the Center and it’s a great way to get more involved in protecting the environment.”

Meet Abby Pozulp

Intern Abby Pozulp Dedicates Summers to FOS Research & Education

When Abby Pozulp decided to spend summers with her grandmother on Hutchinson Island, it was a win-win-win situation: Florida Oceanographic got a full-time, versatile volunteer scientist, Abby found an internship in her field of study, and two devoted family members grew even closer. In between her internship summers of 2014 and 2015, Abby graduated from the College of Charleston in South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in conservation science. She represents the newest generation in science that’s ready to be part of better practices for the planet.

This past summer as research intern Abby worked closely with the Coastal Center’s research department on oyster restoration in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). She also helped perform weekly water quality testing and the monthly seagrass surveys which indicate trends in the health of the IRL ecosystem. As Abby puts it, every day was a different experience doing whatever was needed to keep the Center’s research efforts moving forward.

“The oyster restoration project is important work,” says Abby. “Oysters support the watershed function, they contribute to the health of marine life, and they help with erosion and flood control. This kind of win-win situation is rare in conservation.”

“For me, it’s very exciting to be doing the science I went to school for, to see what works and what doesn’t work,” she adds. “And, I really enjoy anything that gets me in the water.”

During the summer of 2014, Abby served as education intern at the Center, helping to coordinate the TEAM Ocean internship program. She also stepped up to give many of the daily talks at the Center’s turtle and gamefish exhibits, and found she has a natural talent for public presentations. In fact, during college semesters, she did similar environmental education outreach at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Sewee Center in the Francis Marion National Forest north of Charleston, S.C.

“At Sewee our concentration was herpetology because we do have a lot of snakes, alligators and freshwater turtles in South Carolina,” notes Abby. “Thousands of students come through the program as part of their school curriculum each year. It’s a different ecosystem, but the mission to help people understand and appreciate the natural world around them is very similar to FOS.”

Interested in Volunteering at Florida Oceanographic Society? Fill out an application online or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 772-225-0505 ext. 104.

Meet Val Wright

Val Wright Transforms Concrete into Critical IRL Habitat

Whether she’s mixing concrete for reef balls or bagging oyster shells, Val Wright is right at home with hard work. This FOS volunteer does what it takes to help sustain the local waterways. “I’m ready to show up for whatever Florida Oceanographic needs,” says Val. “I don’t mind getting my hands dirty!”

Determined to be part of the effort to protect the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and stop the freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee, Val answered an FOS call for oyster reef project volunteers more than five years ago. Since then, she’s become a key volunteer with the development of reef balls, which are placed in the IRL to provide marine habitat and promote shoreline restoration. Val has led efforts with local high school students to make the reef balls, and this summer, is helping the younger FOS day campers get hands-on with mini-reef ball construction. The project involves mixing and pouring concrete into molds not much larger than a basketball, and tapping the molds with rubber mallets. It’s a great opportunity to talk with kids about conservation, and they love the messy job.

In addition to reef ball creation, Val also spends a few hours each week on another critical task – cleaning the algae from the Coastal Center’s jewel, the Game Fish Lagoon. Without the scrub-down, the algae would cover the sea grasses and make it difficult for the various species of fish to survive.

A Fort Pierce native, Val and her family have made the local waters a focal point of their lives. The family of four is scuba-certified, and they spend as many hours as they can on the water fishing, boating, snorkeling and diving. In fact, Val’s youngest daughter is named after the St. Lucie River. Val participates in the weekly IRL water quality testing program, and is involved with the Rivers Coalition.

“I’m always learning when I’m volunteering for the Coastal Center, and it’s a good feeling to be able to give back to my community,” says Val. “I like being part of the solution.”

Interested in Volunteering at Florida Oceanographic Society? Fill out an application online or contact Karla at 772-225-0505 ext. 104.

Meet Dave Dyer

Dave Dyer Keeps FOS’ Mission on >>Forward>>

When Dave Dyer signed up as an FOS volunteer about two years ago, little did he realize he would shortly be front page news in a photo with renowned marine conservationist Dr. Grant Gilmore. The TC Palm newspaper in Stuart was covering FOS’ quarterly fish seine survey. “The opportunity to meet Dr. Gilmore and work side by side with both he and FOS Director of Scientific Research, Dr. Vincent Encomio, was incredible,” says Dave. “It was a very interesting day.”

In his volunteer role, Dave works several hours each week as an exhibit guide at the Center. He will soon serve as an apprentice scout for the nighttime sea turtle program. He also puts his professional tradeshow skills to work during FOS outreach activities in the community. “It’s a role that fits my personality,” explains Dave. “I’m constantly engaged with our visitors, and when I see them light up as they discover something new or unexpected, it’s very fulfilling to me.”

A Maine native, Dave retired from his postal service career when he and his wife moved to Stuart full-time for her new job. He first learned of the Coastal Center at the Hands Across the Lagoon event in 2013. “I was very interested by FOS’ mission of inspiring environmental stewardship, and impressed that the Coastal Center was taking action. As a volunteer, I can support that mission with our visitors, and also free up the staff to work on higher organizational objectives for research and education.”

Dave has found many like-minded friends within the FOS volunteer community. He and several others, including spotlight volunteer Tracy Booth, have pursued their interests in kayaking and the Florida Master Naturalist program. Dave’s kayaking expertise comes in handy at FOS’ annual Rally for the River and AIS on the Lagoon events.

His advice for others thinking of volunteering? “When you become an FOS volunteer, you are joining a remarkable community. Be sure to participate in all FOS has to offer, including the beach walks, the continuing ed opportunities and the volunteer appreciation events. Do all you can to optimize your experience with this great group of people.”

Meet John Hopkins

John Hopkins Keeps the Oyster Recycle Chain Going

Collecting 5-gallon buckets of stinky, buggy oyster shells is all in a day’s work for John Hopkins. In the winter months, this FOS volunteer spends several hours each week stopping by local restaurants to pick up 5-gallon buckets brimming with empty oyster shells and leave clean buckets in their place. Working with Coastal Center staff, John picks up 40-50 buckets each week, supplying the Center’s oyster restoration project with a critical resource.

“Given the choice, most people would choose to help the environment, but they often are not sure what to do or just don’t go out of their way,” notes John. “The oyster shell pick up makes it easy for restaurant owners to recycle, it keeps the shells out of the landfill, and best of all, we can turn them into a reef where new oysters can find shelter and grow.”

Born and raised in Boca Raton, John worked in Orlando for Disney for many years before moving to his current home in Nevada. He visits his sister in Stuart every winter, and volunteers as a highly valued jack-of-all-trades at the Center. “I always say ‘Put me where you can use me,’ and it’s led to some really interesting work,” says John. “I’ve done reconstruction of the Nature Trail, and helped build the new Animal Health Lab. I just love to spend time here.”

With his current role collecting oyster shells, John hauls the heavy buckets from seven restaurants to the Florida Oceanographic Oyster Restoration (FLOOR) project site set up on the Trail along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). There, he dumps them onto tables to be dried and bleached before another team of volunteers bags them. He also sanitizes the buckets for their reuse. The Coastal Center builds oyster-shell reefs in the IRL and St. Lucie River and populates them with baby oysters, or spat. They are instrumental in cleaning the local water system: A single oyster can filter 50 gallons of water each day.

“We’re all here at the Center for the same reason – to foster stewardship and environmental responsibility,” says John. “It’s very inspiring to be around the staff and to be part of the team here.”

Meet Melissa Escobar

Melissa Escobar Leads Oceans Alive Gala into 2015

As 2015 Chairperson of the Oceans Alive Gala, Melissa Escobar promises FOS event-goers an exceptional evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment that’s sure to be the talk of the town. This veteran Coastal Center volunteer has several surprises planned throughout the evening with hopes of raising more than $250,000. “I enjoy all of the work we do leading up to the event, but the best part is the Gala itself, when I can meet all of our supporters face to face,” says Melissa. “Seeing them have fun, watching people enjoy what you have worked hard to put before them – that’s very rewarding.”

A biology major with an ongoing interest in our waters, Melissa moved to Stuart in 2001 with her three children. She soon found volunteering for the Coastal Center a natural fit. Since then, she has eagerly served in many volunteer positions including ticket-seller in the kiosk, Sting Ray Program presenter, trail guide, and FOS board member. She brings a consistent focus on the experience visitors and supporters have at Florida Oceanographic to every role.

“Our members and volunteers are the backbone of our organization,” says Melissa. “The relationships we form through the special experiences they have with us are key to building our membership and preserving this incredible community asset.”

Melissa’s work with the annual Oceans Alive Gala began many years ago when it was still known as the Swashbuckler. Drawing on experience she gained while volunteering for The Pine School events, Melissa grew the auction portion of the Swashbuckler into a much larger source of funds for FOS. She also instituted annual themes for the event, which led eventually to its transformation into the Oceans Alive Gala. Serving as Gala Chair for a third time, Melissa will honor Frances Langford for this year’s theme.

“Frances Langford was such a positive influence for conservation in Stuart and her generosity has played a huge part in our own history at the Coastal Center,” says Melissa. “Her philanthropy is an inspiration -it’s right that we honor her legacy.”

For Melissa, her membership on the FOS board is her most meaningful role. “It’s very rewarding to be involved with planning for the Coastal Center’s future and to see those plans become reality,” says Melissa. “I want the Center to be here for residents and visitors for many years to come.”

Meet Bob Odgers

For Coastal Center volunteer Bob Odgers, the perfect day involves a lot of time spent with saltwater fish. He takes advantage of the world-class fishery surrounding Stuart most days, and with more than 20 years fishing the St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon and nearby ocean waters, he knows the local marine species well. His passion and expertise make him the ideal presenter for the Coastal Center’s Stingray and Gamefish Lagoon Programs.

“My first love is fishing, but I do look forward to my time at the Coastal Center each week,” says Bob, who has volunteered for nearly a decade. “Seeing the expression on the kids’ faces when they hand-feed a ray for the first time, or when they get up close to the nurse sharks in the Gamefish Lagoon and realize these are giant animals – seeing them have that experience is truly priceless.”

Bob moved south permanently in 1992 after retiring from his sales career in New Jersey. Living on the water in nearby Manatee Pocket, he can pursue his love of fishing simply by walking out the back door and down to his dock. “I was looking for something to do when I retired, and the Coastal Center seemed like a great fit for me,” says Bob. “I’m a salesman who loves to talk with people, and here, fish are a big part of the conversation. It’s always a lot of fun.”

Bob’s favorite spot at the Coastal Center is anywhere along the 750,000-gallon Gamefish Lagoon. As a presenter, he delights in sharing his knowledge of the Lagoon’s residents, from the nurse sharks, jacks and tarpon to one of Florida’s most popular gamefish, the snook. He’s seen the Lagoon grow with the Coastal Center over the years.

“When I first started volunteering, the Lagoon was still in the planning stages,” explains Bob. “I watched as it took shape, and it’s been so interesting to see it change over time. The 3-inch cobia fingerlings released here last April have already grown to two feet in length. The Lagoon is this extraordinary, unique window into the life of these cobia and all of the species that inhabit it.”

Meet Debbie Sunday

Volunteer Debbie Sunday Spreads the Word on Florida Oceanographic

For Debbie Sunday, the Coastal Center’s distinctive turquoise blue shirt for volunteers is more than a good-looking polo. Twice a week it becomes an instant conversation starter when she wears it to Publix, board meetings and around the community after her volunteer shift at the Center’s touch tanks.

“That bright blue really catches people’s eye, so I take every opportunity to invite local residents and visitors to come learn about what they are seeing – and not seeing – when they spend time at the beach or on the water,” says Debbie. “Whether you live here or are just visiting, conservation is something everybody can participate in.”

After teaching gifted special needs middle school students for nearly three decades, Debbie moved her family from Brewster, New York to the home formerly owned by her parents on Hutchinson Island. The move presented a great opportunity for her son, now 21, to volunteer at the Coastal Center.

“My son has always had deep interest in marine life. He would play with the seaweed and observe the fish whenever we sailed on Long Island Sound. Every time we visited my parents, we would spend hours on the Center’s nature trails,” says Debbie. “When we moved, I encouraged him to become a volunteer, and then decided I should, too. I’m able to share my life sciences teaching skills in a very special place.”

Since making Jensen Beach her home, Debbie’s interest in local fauna has soared. Hutchinson Island’s shorelines are primary nesting grounds for three of Florida’s five sea turtle species, and after observing them in the wild, Debbie has become a huge sea turtle fan. She’s currently working toward becoming a volunteer at the Coastal Center’s Sea Turtle Pavilion.

“I now understand how devastating plastic bags can be to sea turtles and other ocean animals, so I pick them up every time I collect shells on the beach,” says Debbie. “I come away with a gift from the beach and I’m giving back to it, too.”

The horseshoe crabs found on the island’s beaches and in the Center’s touch tanks have become another passion for Debbie. “We’ve become dependent on them for our own medical purposes, and we may be taking them for granted. If we want to have horseshoe crabs and sea turtles and all of the other magnificent ocean life in the future, we must do better at promoting that sense of conservation today.”

Meet Dick Landrum

Volunteer Dick Landrum Jumps into Research (and the IRL) with Both Feet

Stop by the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center and you may not meet volunteer Dick Landrum unless you walk the beautiful, shell-crusted segment of the nature trail along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Dick works with scientists in the Center’s research department three days a week, a role that often requires him to don snorkel, mask and even a wetsuit on cooler days. Dick helps with water quality testing, surveys for regular fish counts and the experimental sea grass plantings project.

“I’ve been so impressed with the way the Center is taking the lead in trying to solve the problems of the IRL, the lakes and the ocean,” says Dick, a Florida native and long-time resident of the Treasure Coast. “When I retired this past June, I knew I wanted to get involved, and it’s been a remarkable learning experience. The scientists are a lot of fun, and very willing to share their knowledge about what’s going on with this unique ecosystem.”

Dick’s straight-to-the-heart approach with threats to the local water systems is characteristic of his approach to many interests: He dives in with both feet. A statistics major in college, Dick was a Navy pilot and flight instructor for six years after graduation. After six years as a systems engineer at Electronic Data Systems, he founded and ran a business software company for many years. Then, about five years ago, his love of teaching and his interest in local schools came together when he became a teacher at the Nau Charter School in Port St. Lucie.

“I really enjoyed teaching while I was in the Navy, and I always wanted to give the elementary school classroom a try,” says Dick. “At Nau, I taught math, science, and social studies to students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades, and spent the last two years teaching all of the fifth grade subjects. It was an incredible experience.”

Dick is a lifelong diver and an active master swimmer, so it’s no surprise that he finds getting into the water the best part of his volunteer role at the Center. He’s a natural fit in the research department, too. “I chose the research department because I want to help as much as I possibly can,” Dick explains. “A lot of what we do involves preparing for the future and making that future better. Every day we get a better idea of how to accomplish this.”

Meet FOS Intern & Future Pilot Caitlin Foster

Three times each week, Caitlin Foster spends her entire day at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. As Aquariums and Life Support volunteer, Caitlin helps meet the basic needs of the many marine species here, from cleaning tanks to feeding the turtles and nurse sharks to monitoring animals’ health and well-being. It’s a dream internship for the former Pittsburgh resident, who moved to Port St. Lucie for college two years ago.

“In high school I did a year-long internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, which I really enjoyed,” says Caitlin, “but their sea turtles arrived right at the end so I never had the chance to work with them. When I learned about the internship at the Coastal Center, I knew this was the place I wanted to be.”

Caitlin is pursuing a degree in aeronautical science at Palm Beach State College, which is affiliated with Treasure Coast Flight Training (TCFT) flight school at Stuart’s Witham Field. When she’s not at Florida Oceanographic, she’s in flight training over the skies of the Treasure Coast. Caitlin will become licensed as a private pilot, a commercial pilot and eventually, as a flight instructor.

“While I do like to fly, I’ve also got a serious interest in marine life and ecosystems. After I finish this degree, I’d like to go back for a degree in marine biology,” says Caitlin. “Then I could combine ocean research with aviation. There’s real opportunity in this area for work that could be interesting and rewarding.”

For Caitlin, the favorite part of her day is working one-on-one with the four sea turtles at the Coastal Center. All of the turtles living here are non-releasable due to injuries and problems with buoyancy. Caitlin works with the Center’s aquarium technicians to target-train the turtles. With this learned animal behavior, the team is able to individually feed the turtles with tongs and administer health treatment.

“I love working here,” says Caitlin. “Everyone loves what they are doing, and I’m learning so much about sea turtles. Florida Oceanographic has so much knowledge to share and it’s the kind of thing you can use when you’re at the beach or out fishing. It helps you understand the world around you so much better.”

Meet Monica Henry

Monica Henry was visiting from Arizona during spring break when she first discovered the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. When her family moved across the country to Stuart last summer, she wasted no time signing up to volunteer.

This ambitious 17-year-old is now immersed in her second summer as a TEAM Ocean intern and can often be found leading the sea turtle presentations at the Coastal Center. She will be a senior at Martin County High School this fall and has plans to study marine biology in college.

Through her experiences at Florida Oceanographic, Monica says she has learned that even the smallest act can go a long way. For example, picking up a wrapper on the beach could save a bird or a sea turtle’s life. She shares that message with fellow teens and adults alike.

“I like that I’m able to be a part of Florida Oceanographic’s mission to inspire environmental stewardship through education and research,” says Monica. “I enjoy talking with guests, educating them about different species and how to conserve our marine ecosystems. I love working with kids, too. Seeing the excitement on their faces as they encounter different animals at the Coastal Center is really rewarding.”

Monica is a treasured volunteer at Florida Oceanographic and we are grateful for her enthusiasm and commitment!

Meet Conservationist Tracy Booth

In 2001, Tracy Valentine Booth was driving by FOS when she spotted the sign asking for volunteers – and she was hooked. New to the Stuart area, she was delighted by the opportunity to learn about the special ecosystem in her new home, and equally delighted to share that learning with others. Tracy began as a volunteer with the stingray feeding and touch tank exhibits, and soon became a Nature Trail guide after taking IFAS’ Master Naturalist Course.

“I’m excited to learn who I’m talking with every trip on the Trail,” says Tracy. “It’s always a mix of Florida visitors and local residents who want to learn more. Just last week I had two biologists who’d lived in Florida all their lives and were visiting FOS for the first time – what an interesting discussion that was! This gives me a chance to work with different age groups too, which I really enjoy.”

Tracy honed her talent as a guide when she served as a docent giving historic and architectural tours in Portland, Maine. She and her husband Don raised their family in small town nearby, and the couple still spends summers there. Educated as a registered nurse and also a social worker, Tracy is a lifelong naturalist. She credits her father for her strong interest in plants and gardening. She was able to pursue her interest in marine life when the couple spent two years living aboard their trawler, navigating the ocean waters around the U.S and the Caribbean.

Tracy’s FOS volunteer role is very much aligned with her personal interest in the environment. “There is irreversible change happening in the Indian River Lagoon right now,” says Tracy. “We need to make the environment a top issue in our lives or we will continue to lose species of plants and animals forever. This ecosystem is too precious and too unique to lose.”

Tracy appreciates the culture of volunteerism at FOS, and continues to find great satisfaction whether she is guiding on the Trail or engaging young visitors with the touch tanks. She enjoys sharing her love of nature with grandson Caleb, who is a frequent visitor to FOS. We thank you Tracy, for your dedication to our mission and our guests.

Meet Hannelore Smith

When Hannelore Smith began volunteering with Florida Oceanographic, she was in the middle of taking computer classes, which she was eager to apply to her volunteer work. She hoped that using her skills regularly would reinforce what she was learning, and we were just as eager to have someone willing to commit to helping us with data entry.

It was four and a half years ago when Hannelore began with our Water Quality testing program. Her time is not spent on the water’s edge, rather each week, she collates the data that testers submit; first organizing it into a master spreadsheet and then converting it into the map that is submitted to the newspaper and published weekly on our website. The color-coded map assigns a grade to specific zones along the St. Lucie River Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon to inform residents about the health of our waterways. Not only is this information important to Treasure Coast residents, but the data also correlates with discharges, oyster and seagrass die-offs, and fish lesions. This information was also used in a lawsuit against the Army Core of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District for mismanagement of Lake Okeechobee and destroying our estuaries. Hannelore is an integral part of this program that has been in place for the past 15+ years and we appreciate her continued service to Florida Oceanographic and the community.

Hannelore has a fascinating background. Born and raised in Berlin, Germany during World War II, she has some interesting stories about her childhood. Listening to Hannelore recount her most salient memories was reminiscent of many novels written about the war. Stories about living in a city surrounded by military personnel and airdrops of needed supplies, food rations and the importance of eating every morsel on your plate during meals, and the daily hardships and stresses of life under such strain. Life was difficult, but since she was so young at the time, it was what she knew.

After completing her studies in jewelry and gemology, she moved to Lima, Peru with her first husband. Ultimately, she landed in Ft. Lauderdale where she and her second husband ran a successful insurance business for many years. In 2002, they moved and settled in Stuart. Her husband has since passed away and Hannelore keeps active with friends, volunteering and staying fit… each day, she walks three miles and does 250 push-ups! And that is not a typo, yes, 250 push-ups daily. She is a wonderful, kind-hearted spirit and a tremendous asset to Florida Oceanographic. We thoroughly enjoy working with her and look forward to learning even more about her in the years to come.

Meet Hal Solinger

Hal Solinger, turtle scout extraordinaire, has been volunteering with Florida Oceanographic since the turtle walk program began in 2009, but he began his turtle career 11 years ago with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society in Melbourne. Hal has his grandchildren to thank for introducing him to turtles; his first turtle walk was with his grandkids in Melbourne, and he was instantly smitten. He began volunteering as a scout the very next year. And his introduction to FOS was a visit with his granddaughter shortly after moving to Port St. Lucie in 2008. He later attended a lecture on turtles at FOS and overheard someone mention a turtle walk program in the planning stages; he jumped on board.

Hal, retired from the U.S. Postal Service after a 33-year career, now works part-time at Publix. He’s often at work in the early hours of the morning or long after the store closes at night, but he manages to take time to walk the beaches looking for loggerhead turtles, an activity he thoroughly enjoys especially when working with other like-minded, environmentally-conscious people. He loves interacting with people - other scouts, staff members, and guests. Their gratitude and appreciation for being able to participate in such a beautiful experience makes his late hours on the beach very worthwhile.

Highlights of his turtle career include coming across loggerhead hatchlings emerging from a nest on the way to observe another loggerhead nesting and watching a loggerhead with only one rear flipper dig a nest. He regrets missing a leatherback turtle spotted by other FOS turtle scouts on the beach a couple of years ago, but was redeemed just this season when he had the opportunity to see one himself. Because leatherbacks are critically endangered, he was not able to approach the animal or observe her nesting, but just seeing her emerge from the water and climb up the beach was awe inspiring.

Hal’s advice for anyone interested in becoming a turtle scout: he highly recommends reading “Sea Turtles: An Extraordinary Natural History of Some Uncommon Turtles” by Blair Witherington, a very informative and readable resource.

Thank you, Hal, from the bottom of our hearts!

Meet Cathy Muir

How wonderful it is to work with exceptional people and how lucky we are. Florida Oceanographic is fortunate to have volunteers that continually go above and beyond the call of duty and give us their all. Our volunteer spotlight this month focuses on one such volunteer, Cathy Muir.

Cathy is a New Jersey native who moved to Stuart 9 years ago. She had been visiting family in the area for years, so she was familiar with our coastal community and Florida Oceanographic. In fact, every time she and her sons Michael and Brian were in town, they would visit the Coastal Center.

Now that her sons are grown, she has the opportunity to share her love of the environment and the Center with her 4-year-old granddaughter, Emerson, who Cathy proudly exclaims is the highlight of her life. While Emerson is too young to fully appreciate that her grandma volunteers, she is not too young to appreciate the thrill of petting and feeding a stingray.

Cathy has always had an appreciation for the environment and when her sons were boy scouts, the family worked on numerous clean-up and restoration projects along the New Jersey shoreline. It’s no wonder Cathy was drawn to Florida Oceanographic when she found time to volunteer.

She is passionate about our mission and while she prefers to remain behind the scenes and under the radar, when you walk into the Center you can’t help but notice her friendly smile and cheerful welcome. She is a pleasure to work with and we greatly appreciate the time and effort she puts forth, ensuring our guests have an experience that keeps them coming back. Thank you, Cathy, for giving freely of your time and making a commitment to excellence.

Meet Pat Jones Kahrimanian

When you think of what a volunteer does at Florida Oceanographic, you likely think of all the wonderful volunteers who help to educate and entertain the public during their visits. While it is true we are fortunate to have a terrific group of volunteers who work with our visitors, we also have an amazing group of volunteers who work behind the scenes.

One of those volunteers and our featured volunteer for the month of March is Pat Jones Kahrimanian. "Pat JK," as we affectionately refer to her, has been volunteering at the Coastal Center for almost 15 years. With more than 1,800 hours of service to Florida Oceanographic, she has been a steady and stable presence in and around the office from almost the beginning.

For the past eight years, Pat has helped me with everything from website management, water quality reports, preparing for appreciation events, and dreaded data entry. It is often a thankless job, as she would use my computer on days when I was not around and the computer was available. Pat would quietly make her way into the office, sit down in my cubicle overflowing with papers and projects and efficiently enter all of our volunteer hours into the database.

Recently, Pat shared some wonderful news: she is engaged! She has found bliss and fulfillment with her soul mate and we are so happy she has special someone to share her life with. Unfortunately, in almost the same breath, she told me the time had come for her to retire!

I would like to personally thank Pat for everything she has done to help me manage the administrative side of the volunteer department and for her friendship through the years. She is a true treasure and her fiancée is a lucky man. We wish you well as you begin this next chapter of your life. Congratulations Pat, we love you!

Meet Jenelle Piche

Meet Jenelle Piche, our February 2013 Volunteer of the Month. Jenelle joined us as an aquariums intern for seven weeks in January and February. She is from Coventry, Rhode Island and studies maritime safety and environmental protection at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

During her internship, Jenelle was able to experience many facets of our education and research programs - from working with the sea turtles at the Coastal Center and a variety of species in our Game Fish lagoon, to building reef structures and participating in our oyster reef restoration program.

"I learned so much during my time at Florida Oceanographic," says Jenelle. "I have such a high respect now for those who work at aquariums. There is so much that goes on behind-the-scenes. The staff was so welcoming and helpful. I really appreciate their guidance and the advice they shared with me. I was also impressed with all the volunteers who give their time to run the exhibits. It's amazing how generous they are. The staff and volunteers genuinely care about these animals, the environment, and they love what they do."

Thank you, Jenelle, for your effort and enthusiasm during your time at Florida Oceanographic. We hope you will visit often!

Follow Jenelle's journey as she provides a daily, behind-the-scenes look at her experiences at Florida Oceanographic Society in her blog, "Living Florida."