Florida's Indian River lagoon is among the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, but its health is threatened by the human populations that have grown up around it. The presentation will explore the natural history of the IRL system, the challenges it faces and the ways we can work together to protect our wonderful "Backyard Estuary."

Speaker: Dr. Jim Masterson - Assistant Research Professor FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Jim received his B.S. in Ecology, Ethology and Evolution from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and received his Ph.D. in Marine Ecology from Florida Institute of Technology. He teaches courses in marine ecology, biodiversity, aquaculture and the natural history of the Indian River Lagoon. He has a special interest in facilitating and expanding the use of telepresence as a tool to allow students and public audiences to participate in global at-sea scientific expeditions in real-time.

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