Lecture series welcomes FIU’s Schweikert

‘VISION IN THE UNDERWATER WORLD’

Dr. Schweikert will discuss the nature of light and vision in the underwater environment. Her talk will reveal why marine animals have such specialized vision, and how that information might benefit the angler, the engineer, and the scientist. CONTRIBUTED

The fourth lecture of the 29th annual lecture series, “The Delicate Balance of Nature,” is sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park will be on Wednesday, Feb. 5. “Light, Color and Vision in the Underwater World” will be the presentation given by Dr. Lorian Schweikert, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University.

Vision on land is familiar to us – there is a lot of light and an array of colors to help us see. Underwater vision, however, is a different and fascinating story. Dr. Schweikert will discuss the nature of light and vision in the underwater environment. Her talk will reveal why marine animals have such specialized vision, and how that information might benefit the angler, the engineer, and the scientist.

The presentation will be held at the Visitor Center and Aquarium building inside John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, located at Mile Marker 102.5, Oceanside. There is no cost to enter the park for the lecture series. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited, so it is recommended that visitors arrive on time to be assured a seat in the wheelchair-accessible auditorium. Bring your own cushion for added seating comfort. Temperatures in the auditorium vary and a sweater or light jacket may be desired. Additionally, please help us to accommodate those who are chemically sensitive by not wearing fragrances or other scented products.  

For more information or accessibility needs contact Park Services Specialist Elena Muratori at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 305-676-3786. For more information on Florida’s State Parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.