Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Estuary Explorations

Go on a seashore safari without getting wet during our excursion into Sarasota Bay. Live from atop the Mote Aquarium Roving Virtual Estuary Navigator (MARVEN), embark on a sightseeing adventure over habitats like mudflats, seagrass meadows, and mangrove trees. Uncover the challenges sea creatures face living between the tides and maybe wave to a scientist working alongside us on the docks. You never know what we will find when we explore the estuary together.

Made possible by a generous grant from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s Bay Partners Grant program.

This program features live animals. Mote Aquarium is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has met rigorous, professional standards for animal care, wildlife conservation and research, education and more.

Objectives

• Explore the critical role estuaries play in marine ecosystems, including their impact on biodiversity and shoreline protection.
• Identify various estuarine species and recognize the challenges they face due to changes in water quality and loss of habitat.
• Investigate natural solutions like bioswales and rain gardens and propose ways to implement them in their own communities.
• Ask questions and engage in discussions about environmental challenges such as sea level rise, water quality, and habitat restoration.

Format

1. Introduction and Prior Knowledge – The program begins with an introduction to estuaries, discussing their importance in marine ecosystems and inviting participants to share any facts or questions they may have.
2. Segment 1 – What is an estuary? Participants are introduced to the Sarasota Bay estuary, learning about the role of seagrass in this ecosystem and the various species found there.
3. Video 1 – Roots of Resilience: A short video highlighting Mote’s efforts in growing resilient seagrass and the science of seagrass restoration.
4. Segment 2 – Meet the Mangroves: Discover the diversity of mangrove species and their vital role in stabilizing shorelines, filtering water, and providing essential habitat for marine life.
5. Video 2 – Rising Tides: A brief video on how rising seas and shifting shorelines shape the future of coastal ecosystems, and how changes in sea level and water quality impact estuaries like Sarasota Bay.
6. Segment 3 – Connected Currents: Explore how bioswales keep our bay healthy as we go behind the scenes to look at natural filtration systems and consider solutions that can work in your community.

Simple booking

1. Check our calendar and request a date and time
2. Use this guide to set goals, gather resources, prepare your learners

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