"Diversifying Shoreline Conservation Mini Documentary" - 10 a.m.
Dr. Hillary Van Dyke is a Florida native. She has a passion for educating and a background in teaching middle school. Inspired by her work as district administrator for Pinellas County Schools, she earned her PhD in education at the University of South Florida. She is now an assistant professor at the University of Tampa. While education is her first love, Dr. Van Dyke has a fondness for community work which includes her volunteerism and independent contracting efforts. She co-founded theGreen Book of Tampa Bay in 2019 with her friend Joshua Bean. Since 2016, she has been involved in work to get Black people more involved in the outdoors from leading events to her filmmaking.
"Live Animal Show: Celebrating Local Reptiles" - 10:30 a.m.
Paige Konger Henry is a family member, owner, and operator at Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Animal Sanctuary as well as a local science educator.
"Yes, We Have Wales in the Gulf! Meet the Rice's Whale" - 11 a.m.
As a Lead Organizer for the Sierra Club Florida Chapter’s Red Tide and Wildlands campaigns, Michael McGrath provides strategic guidance, campaign leadership, and institutional knowledge to advance effective public advocacy efforts that improve water quality, protect wildlife habitat, and defend Florida’s remaining wild and working lands. He is currentlyhelping to launch a Florida Gulf Coast advocacy campaign to protect the critically endangered Rice’s whale—the only whale species endemic to the Gulf of Mexico. This emerging effort focuses on public awareness, community engagement, and defending the Gulf from threats such as offshore oil and gas development.It’s our Gulf, our whale!
"Rooted in Stewardship - Past, Present, and Future" - 11:45 a.m.
Beth Reynolds is an award-winning photographer and dedicated conservationist. A native of St. Petersburg, Beth has taught all levels of photography and photojournalism for more than 30 years, published multiple books of her work, exhibited across the US, is included in the collection of the Ringling Art Museum and was the first Photographer Laureate of Tampa. She is a Florida Master Naturalist, an Audubon Shorebird Steward, and Audubon Eaglewatch volunteer. Three years ago, she followed her dream and became a State of Florida Park Ranger. She serves as the Interpretive Chair and volunteer coordinator for Honeymoon and Caladesi Island and Anclote Key. In 2025 Reynolds was awarded the Dunedin Environmental Hero award and was named the Interpretive Ranger of the Year for the Florida Park Service. Reynolds lives with 8 rescued animals - 3 pitbulls, 3 tortoises, one corn snake and one 20yr old feral cat that claims her entire home office.
"Live Animal Show: Birds of Prey" - 12:30 p.m.
Luna Crash landed in Dunedin, Florida, as a juvenile, and suffered permanent damage to her left wing. Because of this she cannot fly and would not survive in the wild on her own, so she lives at Moccasin Lake Nature Park and is cared for by our volunteer staff. Luna is a type of small falcon called a Merlin. She likes long walks through the park and educating the public on Florida's migratory raptors. This photo was taken of her enjoying a rat on my glove, and is a great display of her personality. We both look forward to joining you at your event!
"The Path of a Water Drop Demonstration" - 1 p.m.
I am currently the Environmental Specialist 1 – Stormwater for the City of Dunedin. Before starting with the city in June 2025, I graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a major in marine biology and a minor in oceanography. After college, I worked as a fisheries observer and protected species observer on commercial fishing vessels in the northeast United States (From Portland, Maine to Montauk, New York). As an employee with the City, I oversee our water quality monitoring program, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) compliance, and our illicit discharge program. Although I have not been here for a long time, I have learned so much and cannot wait for what the future holds for me and Dunedin!
"Caladesi Memories - History Comes Alive & Book Signing" - 1:30 p.m.
Terry Fortner is a locally known historian and environmentalist. She serves on the Pinellas County Historical Commission, is an active volunteer at Palm Harbor Museum, and is a certified Florida Master Naturalist. Her grandmother, Myrtle Scharrer Betz, the only child born onCaladesiIsland, grew up on a pioneer homestead there. At age 87, Myrtle wroteYesteryear I Lived in Paradise, a rare first-person account of life in Florida’s pioneer era. Terry Fortner wrote the TIMELINE inYesteryearand along with her sister Suzanne, assembledCaladesiCookbook,which is as much history as it is recipes.