MARTIN COUNTY — The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island is a place where folks can learn about area coastal ecosystems and environmental stewardship and have fun while doing it.
The Florida Oceanographic Society is a decades-old nonprofit, and the coastal center is at 890 N.E. Ocean Blvd., across from the Elliott Museum and Stuart Beach.
The coastal center features a variety of offerings, including a 750,000-gallon gamefish lagoon and a beloved stingray touch tank.
It has a number of volunteer opportunities available, though some depend on the time of year.
“As an organization that prides itself on educating the public, we're always looking for people who want to help with our mission,” said Anthony Brunet, its communications and public relations coordinator.
Volunteer opportunities in an oyster-restoration program and a seagrass-restoration program typically are available in September and October, and March through April, respectively, Brunet said.
A beach cleanup program, he said, provides significant benefits.
“Especially during the summer, even though it is hotter … we have a lot more traffic on our beaches, a lot more waste, unfortunately,” Brunet said. “If anyone wants to participate in those, we greatly appreciate it.”
Other volunteer areas include exhibit guides, with some vetting and training, and water-quality monitoring.
Brunet said the best way to learn about the organization and volunteer opportunities is to sign up for an informational session, of which there are two monthly.
For additional information, visit https://www.floridaocean.org/volunteer
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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
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