Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Mighty Migrations: Southeast Florida's Role in the Incredible Journeys of Songbirds (June Delicate Balance of Nature)
2026-06-22 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Bird migration has fascinated humans for millennia, when we first began to wonder “where do they go?” For years, though, it was difficult to answer that question precisely – until people began banding birds and learning where those marked individuals would end up. Southeast Florida plays a critical role in bird migration along the Atlantic Flyway, and for 23 years, a group of dedicated volunteers has been banding birds at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to unravel the mysteries of songbird migration throughout the Caribbean. In this talk, we’ll explore the science of migration, the process and value of banding, and some of what we have learned from the Cape Florida Banding Station’s 23-year data set about why the birds come to our corner of the state, and where they go from here.

Dr. Steffanie Munguía is an experienced Latina environmental advocate and conservation professional working across the hemisphere to build a more inclusive environmental movement. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Florida, Steffanie’s passion for conservation grew from an early love of birds and weekend camping trips into a career. Over the years, she has worked as an environmental educator, social scientist, and student engagement leader. She is now the Avian Conservation Programs Manager for Zoo Miami, where she supports their existing partnerships with bird conservation programs in Latin America and the Caribbean while developing new programs in South Florida. Steffanie is also a bander-in-charge and the field director at the Cape Florida Banding Station, the longest-running, southern-most migratory bird banding station in the continental United States.
Join us in person at the John Pennekamp Visitor Center at 6:30pm for a pre lecture reception or via Zoom at 7:15pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81000667101

Pollinators: Ecology, Importance, and Conservation (July Delicate Balance of Nature)
2026-07-27 18:30 - 20:30
Pollinators are essential to our ecosystems, playing a crucial role in ecological health, food security, and the economy. However, their populations are declining due to various threats. This presentation will highlight five key groups of pollinators, explore their ecological significance, and discuss how gardening can serve as an effective conservation strategy. Join us to learn how you can make a difference.

Liah is passionate about landscaping, native plants, pollinators, and ecology. She is fascinated by complex ecological interactions and how horticulture can be used to support local ecosystems. Liah’s work is community-oriented and rooted in education,providing accessible, science-based resources to all members of Monroe County, including residents, youth, and professionals.
Join us in person in the John Pennekamp Visitor Center at 6:30pm for a pre-lecture reception or via Zoom at 7:15pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87530387091

Outdoor Education's Impact on Ocean Conservation (August Delicate Balance of Nature)
2026-08-24 18:30 - 20:30
Education is powerful. Sarah has witnessed first hand the impact of MarineLab’s experiential education programs on the thousands of students who visit each year. Over time, MarineLab has collected stories, data and teacher insight on how student’s experiences out of the classroom have changed the trajectory of their futures, creating paths that directly impact our environment. We are excited to share how outdoor education specifically can be a powerful tool to combat the threats our oceans face.

Sarah Egner is the Senior Vice President at MarineLab, an environmental education center based in Key Largo. She has been with the organization since 2007, serving in various capacities over the years including educator, Captain, curriculum developer and teacher trainer. In her current role, she oversees all aspects of the MarineLab education program and is incredibly proud of the impact the organization has on students throughout the country and on the habitat that she loves the most – our ocean. After living in the Keys for 20 years, Sarah works remotely from St Augustine with her family.

Join us in person in the John Pennekamp Visitor Center at 6:30pm for a pre-lecture reception or via Zoom at 7:15pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82435222102
