Please join us for the first in a series of five lectures - Rookery Bay & the Next Generation of Scientists – Making a Home at Rookery Bay: Wading Birds Colonies and the Impact of Hurricanes. Anne Mauro, Rookery Bay’s Avian Ecologist and Gina Cheadle, Florida Gulf Coast University Student will co-present on the impact extreme weather has on wading bird colonies in Southwest Florida. Lunch will be provided. The 2019-20 lecture series focuses on key projects occurring at Rookery Bay and the collaboration of senior scientists and up-and-coming young staff members or interns. During co-presentations of findings and information, the teams will highlight the importance of mentorship in science and how working together with today’s young professionals positively impacts the future of environmental ecology and conservation in Florida.