provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The public is invited to hear famed underwater explorer Robert Ballard speak, as part of the 4th Annual Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 at the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Bailey Homestead pavillion, 1300 Periwinkle Way.
Best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic shipwreck, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Ballard is a veteran of more than 125 expeditions, many in search of lost ships and ancient artifacts. He is president of the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Connecticut, and director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island.
A pioneer in the early use of deep-diving submarines, Ballard was on the first manned expedition of the largest mountain range on Earth, the Mid-Ocean Ridge. Later he led an expedition off the Galápagos Islands that discovered new life-forms on Earth, a discovery that has revolutionized our understanding of the origin of life on our planet and increased the likelihood of discovering life elsewhere in the solar
system. Following his discovery of the Titanic, he went to find other lost legends in the sea including the German battleship Bismarck, the aircraft carrier Yorktown lost during the Battle of Midway, and President Kennedy’s PT-109.
Ballard, a former naval officer, is the recipient of numerous awards, including six military honors, The Explorers Club Medal, and National Geographic’s highest award, the Hubbard Medal. During the 4th Annual Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture, he will share stories of his underwater adventures and his vision of how technology can continue to advance the frontiers of exploration.
“We are very honored to have Dr. Ballard as our McCarthy Lecture speaker this year,” said SCCF CEO James Evans. “His career as the preeminent underwater explorer has informed so much of our understanding of the natural world.”
Ticket sales will be limited to ensure maximum social distancing. Doors open at 5 p.m. and light refreshments will be offered. The lecture can also be attended virtually. Tickets are $20 in person, $10 for students, and $10 for virtual attendance. Tickets can be purchased only through Eventbrite: In-person or Virtual.
The Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture Series was conceived by the Boler Family Foundation, which underwrites the speaker fees and expenses to honor their dear family friend. Paul McCarthy was the founder of Captiva Cruises, and SCCF Trustee, and an active presence on the islands for many years.
For additional information about this event please contact Jeff Siwicke at 239-357-0457 and jsiwicke@sccf.org or Cheryl Giattini at 239-822-6121 and cgiattini@sccf.org.
SCCF is dedicated to protecting and caring for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. To learn more about our mission-driven work visit www.sccf.org.
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