During January, February, and March, presentations about shells or related nature topics are made by qualified experts, who show visuals and often display some of their "finds". They bring a breadth of knowledge and experience, so a question-and-answer session follows their program. Refreshments are served and there is an opportunity to interact with the speaker and other attendees. The presentations are free and the public is always welcome.

The club plans to hold seminars in January, February, and March 2025, in Rose Hall at the Marco Island Library, 210 S. Heathwood Drive.

January 3rd, 3:00 pm- Marine Biologist, Rebecca Mensch, MS will be giving a talk about the True Tulip. From 2017 to 2022, Rebecca raised a True Tulip at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum from hatching until its unfortunate demise in Hurricane Ian. Rebecca will share notes, observations, photographs and videos of this extraordinary snail.

February 7th, 3:00 pm-Raquel Herrera with the Rookery Bay Reserve will present “The Discovery of Rookery Bay”. The presentation will cover the history of Rookery Bay Research Reserve including how it was founded as well as the education and conservation programs in the 110,000 acre Reserve.

March 7th, 3:00 pm - Dr. Jeffrey Schmid, Environmental Research Monitor at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, will present “Shifting Sands in Time” to teach us about the Loggerhead Turtles and how they’ve emerged as symbols of resilience and adaptability. Our beaches on nearby nesting islands have changed drastically after several hurricanes and Dr. Schmid will share with us data that has been collected for the past four decades, on the loggerheads that nest on nearby islands. We will learn how these sea turtles who have been crawling ashore beaches since the dinosaur era have survived drastic climatic changes.

The Shell Club’s season has come to a close. Stay tuned for information regarding seminars for January-March of 2026.