Rachel Shanker, the conservation and education manager at Manatee Lagoon, will be the guest speaker at the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the Okeeheelee Nature Center at Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for socializing starting at 1:30 p.m.
As the official Florida state marine mammal, manatees are one of the most charismatic species found throughout the state’s waterways. In her talk, Shanker will tell attendees about manatees’ anatomy and behavior, threats to these gentle creatures and conservation efforts.
Manatee Lagoon, a Florida Power & Light Co. Eco-Discovery Center on N. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, features interactive and entertaining exhibits that inspire curiosity about the environment and the world of manatees. These gentle giants migrate to the waterways surrounding Manatee Lagoon during the cooler months to seek warmth in the clean, warm water outflows of FPL’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center.
In her hybrid role, Shanker manages the educational and outreach initiatives of the center and lends her marine expertise to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission in response to the alarming challenges that Florida manatees are facing.
Born and raised in South Florida, Shanker earned a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. With a love of the study of marine ecology, she looks for new ways to engage the public in science and conservation to address environmental challenges.
For questions about the meeting, call or text (561) 312-2765.
