Science and Environmental Academy (SEA)

The Science and Environmental Academy (SEA), formerly SEA and Coffee, meets in the OLLI building to hear presentations by experts in the fields of science and the environment in a friendly, relaxed setting. Speakers may be in-person or remote. 

Oct. 2 A Nationwide Citizen Science Coastal Water Quality Project  

Phil Bresnahan, Ph.D., Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences and at the Center for Marine Science, UNCW; Troy Frensley, Ph.D., Department of Environmental Sciences, UNCW

This presentation describes a nationwide participatory science project to collect coastal water clarity and color data. Using the project’s lab-developed devices and apps, citizen scientists collect and upload data to a global database, enabling researchers to compare results with satellite imagery. By engaging coastal communities in the study and disseminating critical information, we can develop a more robust understanding of changes in coastal water quality and improve ocean, climate and coastal literacy.

Oct. 9 Fungi Unveiled: Mycorrhizae, Mushrooms, Medicine and Mind Control 

Dakota Lowery, researcher, Environmental Soil Science Laboratory, UNCW; E. Britt Moore, Ph.D.,director, Environmental Soil Science Laboratory, UNCW

Fungi are an underappreciated, yet invaluable, part of our natural and societal systems. This presentation explores the vital roles that fungi play in ecosystems, agriculture and human health, with particular focus on fungi's life cycles, diversity, ecology and ecosystem services.

Oct. 16 UNCW Center for Marine Science Reaches Around the Globe 

Ken Halanych, Ph.D., executive director, Center for Marine Science, UNCW 

This presentation highlights the Center for Marine Science's global impact, emphasizing our research and expeditions, including significant Antarctic missions. It showcases our contributions to marine science, environmental conservation and international collaborations, demonstrating our commitment to understanding and protecting marine ecosystems worldwide. 

Oct. 23 Destination 2050 – Preparing for New Hanover County’s Future 

Rebekah Roth, AICP, CZO, director of New Hanover County Planning & Land Use Department 

New Hanover County is currently in the process of developing Destination 2050, the update to the County’s 2016 comprehensive plan. This session explores the framework for comprehensive planning in North Carolina and how the plan will be used, along with information on existing conditions, key trends and anticipated policies and actions.

Oct. 30 Living with Water at Battleship North Carolina 

Terry DeMeo, director of Development & Living with Water Project Manager, Battleship North Carolina; Devon Eulie, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, UNCW 

Living with Water, a floodwater-mitigation project, is a collaboration between Battleship North Carolina and UNCW researchers. The aim is to reduce the impacts of tidal flooding and increase resilience to changing climatic conditions in the marsh at the Battleship site. This presentation discusses the impacts of tidal flooding, the Living with Water project and the scientific monitoring employed at the Battleship. 

Nov. 6 From Forests to Futures: Community-Led Conservation in Central America 

Barbara Vallarino, executive director, EcoLogic Development Fund 

This presentation explores how EcoLogic Development Fund supports rural and Indigenous communities in Central America to protect forests while strengthening local livelihoods. Through examples from Guatemala and Honduras, we examine how community-led conservation strategies—from agroforestry to environmental education—deliver tangible local benefits with meaningful global impact.

Nov. 13 Among the Flowers 

Wayne Hoffman,Ph.D., conservation scientist (retired) 

A diverse community of insects and other small animals, including bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders, praying mantids and hummingbirds live in our gardens, roadsides and meadows and exploit nectar produced by flowers to attract pollinators. The pollinators attract a diverse assemblage of small predators and employ a range of defenses against them. This presentation explores the nectar-related community in both native and cultivated gardens in southeastern North Carolina.