Rescuing Miami's Native Wildlife

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Refreshments served from 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Speaker from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Pelican Harbor Marina Multipurpose Room

Join us for an informative and inspiring presentation with Yaritza Acosta, Rehabilitation Manager at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. In this engaging session, Yaritza will provide a fascinating overview of the 2024 data, offering insights into the challenges faced by local wildlife and the crucial work being done to protect them.

She will discuss key trends observed over the past year, including the most common reasons for wildlife admissions, injury patterns, and the species most frequently brought in for care. Yaritza will also give us a deeper understanding of how the center operates, from intake to rehabilitation, and the vital role it plays in wildlife conservation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the vital work Pelican Harbor Seabird Station does in protecting our local wildlife and how you can help make a difference.

About the Speaker

Yaritza Acosta graduated from Lees-McRae College in 2012 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Wildlife Rehabilitation. During her time at Lees-McRae, she honed her rehab skills at the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, where she completed a year-long internship and later mentored incoming students. She also trained with non-releasable ambassador animals and volunteered at The Wolf Sanctum, working with abused wolves and wolfdogs.

In 2012, Yaritza moved to Miami and began volunteering at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. She quickly joined the team and now leads the team as Rehabilitation Manager. Dedicated to expanding her knowledge and advancing her career, she is currently pursuing continuing education and preparing for veterinary school.

Coral Morphologic in the Coral City

Discover the fascinating intersection of art, science, and technology with marine biologist, artist, and filmmaker Colin Foord of Coral Morphologic. In this compelling presentation, Colin will take you on a journey beneath the waves with the Coral City Camera, a groundbreaking multimedia project that live-streams the vibrant marine ecosystem thriving along the human-made shorelines of Miami.

Since its deployment in 2019, the Coral City Camera has recorded over 200 species of marine life, including fish, sharks, manatees, sea turtles, squid, and even sea birds. This hybrid art-science project showcases the remarkable biodiversity that exists just beneath Miami’s waterfront and demonstrates how human-made environments can support thriving ecosystems. By blending stunning visuals with ecological research, the project inspires civic pride and encourages the public to connect with and protect these urban reefs.

Colin will share the story behind the Coral City Camera, exploring how it has become a powerful tool for citizen science and environmental monitoring. He’ll also discuss his broader mission to bridge the gap between art and science, presenting coral ecosystems in a relatable and engaging way to foster appreciation and conservation of the world’s reefs.

About the Speaker

Colin Foord is a marine biologist, coral aquaculturist, artist, and filmmaker with a passion for exploring the beauty and importance of coral ecosystems. Educated at the University of Miami and James Cook University in Australia, Colin co-founded Coral Morphologic, the world’s first multimedia coral aquaculture studio, located in Miami. Through his innovative work, he aims to make corals and reef ecosystems accessible and relatable, inspiring audiences of all ages to care for and protect the world’s tropical reefs.