Please Register by August 16  https://form.jotform.com/262103572001137

Join the Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists and the Friends of Tampa Bay Wildlife Refuges on Sunday, August 23rd at the Wild Rover Brewing Company where great British fare, good company, and bold ideas come together for a special speaker event.

For our inaugural Nature Nosh Speaker Series we are thrilled to welcome Tonya Wiley, a dynamic marine biologist who is at the forefront of sawfish ecology and biology right here in Tampa Bay. Tonya is the President of Havenworth Coastal Conservation, a 501 (c) (3) project of The Ocean Foundation based in Palmetto. The organization was founded to promote the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources through research, outreach, and education. Our tax-deductible donations will help Havenworth continue to meet its mission.

Tonya has been conducting field studies of sharks and rays since 2001, including research on the endangered smalltooth sawfish in Florida. She now leads sawfish research in the Tampa Bay area and outreach efforts throughout Florida. Many of us probably recall the odd “spinning” behaviors observed in sawfish in the Florida Keys in 2023, a precursor to mortality for many of them. Tonya will take us on a fascinating journey to learn more about smalltooth sawfish and the fight to save them in her live presentation “Florida’s Endangered Sawfish: Past, Present, and Future.”

Who Can Attend: This event is open to members of both Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists and Friends of Tampa Bay Wildlife Refuges. Each member may bring one additional guest.

Location: Wild Rover Brewing Company is a British pub with outstanding food. Come hungry and plan to enjoy brunch. You can access their menu here. Wild Rover is located at 13921 Lynmar Boulevard in Tampa. Please carpool if you can. Parking is limited.