Meet Mover and Shucker Katherine Ward
Katherine Ward moved to Stuart in 2013, and over the years, she has enjoyed bringing her family to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Her interest in preserving and protecting our beautiful south Florida waterways is what drew her to volunteer at Florida Oceanographic.
Meet Nell Brewer
In conversations with guests, Nell is continuously motivated by their enthusiasm and impressed by how much they know and care about the natural world. “It’s great to share fun-facts about the animals and the coastal habitats and have meaningful conversations with guests of all ages.”
Meet Our Newest Resident - Sandy!
We’re thrilled to welcome Sandy, a 40-inch-wide southern stingray who recently joined our ambassador animals. She’s already settling in beautifully—and we’d love for you to meet her!
Meet Our Sea Turtles
As advocates for sea turtle protections, we work tirelessly to raise awareness about the threats facing these majestic creatures and promote conservation initiatives to safeguard their habitats. Additionally, our facility serves as a forever home for sea turtles deemed unfit for release due to…
Meet Rick Bell
The beauty of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River is what first drew Rick Bell to the area. He discovered the river while exploring with a group of fellow jet skiers and was immediately captivated by its peacefulness and unspoiled beauty.
Meet Rosanne Danner
Six years ago, Rosanne Danner embarked on a new chapter of her life, moving to the charming community of Jensen Beach, FL. A big change from her upbringing in the Bronx, NY, she was drawn to this area thanks to her brother's guidance and fell in love with its beauty.
Meet Sam Young
Sam Young spent more than 40 years living between Naples and Marco Island, but as the area grew more congested, he began looking for a quieter coastal community.
Meet A Scientist
Curious about marine science and conservation? Join Florida Oceanographic Society for Meet a Scientist, a monthly opportunity to connect directly with members of our research team.
Meet A Scientist
Curious about marine science and conservation? Join Florida Oceanographic Society for Meet a Scientist, a monthly opportunity to connect directly with members of our research team.
Meet A Scientist
Curious about marine science and conservation? Join Florida Oceanographic Society for Meet a Scientist, a monthly opportunity to connect directly with members of our research team.
Meet A Scientist
Curious about marine science and conservation? Join Florida Oceanographic Society for Meet a Scientist, a monthly opportunity to connect directly with members of our research team.
Meet Scott Bacheler
Scott Bacheler has always enjoyed being around the water. Living near Florida Oceanographic Society, he was very interested in what volunteer opportunities were available and how he might get involved.
Meet Stephen Mahoney
Stephen Mahoney grew up in a small industrial town in northern England, near the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, before his career and life journey eventually brought him to the United States.
Meet Sue Barnett
Sue participates in a variety of roles including research projects, oyster shell bagging, drilling and matting, seagrass matting, road/beach cleanups, seagrass nursery cleaning and most recently working on a seagrass research project, saying “I truly believe that volunteers can make a difference…
Meet Sue Mamalis
Sue wears many hats in her volunteer roles. She works with the Living Docks program, participates in oyster shell bagging, drilling, and matting, and helps with seagrass matting and maintaining the seagrass nursery.
Meet Summer Sea Turtle Scout Amy Isenhower
Sea turtles return to the same beaches year after year to lay their eggs, and for Amy Isenhower, that’s an exciting aspect of volunteering as a Summer Sea Turtle Scout for Florida Oceanographic Society’s Nighttime Sea Turtle Walks.
Meet the Team
Nathaniel Winn is a research associate interested in seagrass ecology, water quality, and nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems. Nathaniel received his B.S. at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL, where he studied tidal dynamics of porewater nutrients in subterranean estuaries. He…
Meet Thomas Buhr
Drawn to Stuart in the 70s for its pristine natural surroundings and strong conservation ethos, Thomas was particularly impressed by Martin County's leadership in environmental preservation.
Meet Vern Adkins
Vern Adkins lives just down the road from the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, so when he began looking for volunteer opportunities, it felt like a natural place to start.
Meet Volunteer Carol Westerfield
May Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Volunteer Joe Pisano
April Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Volunteer Lyda Denney, DVM
March Volunteer Spotlight
