Natural History lecture series begins at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Natural History lecture series begins at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Renowned scientist/biologist Dr. Ken Sulak to speak on leaping sturgeon in the Suwannee River

SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK, LIVE OAK, FL - An Evening Natural History Lecture Series on environmental issues including leaping sturgeon in the Suwannee River will begin Oct. 29 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. This lecture series will feature renowned US Geological Survey Research/Scientist/author Dr. Ken Sulak of the University of

Florida, along with a number of other biologists from UF who will speak on a variety of interesting topics involving marine biology.

This lecture series, held in a relaxed fashion in the Music Hall at the Spirit of the Suwannee, will be geared to all ages, including school children. Dr. Sulak will kick off the series in the Music Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Dr. Sulak will also present photographs during the lecture and there will be a question and answer time afterward.

Dr. Sulak has studied Atlantic Ocean and Suwannee River sturgeon and their jumping habits. Dr. Sulak brings to this lecture series a wealth of research information on the habits of the sturgeon, which can sometimes grow to 200 pounds and be about eight feet long. In recent years there have been multiple accidents on the Suwannee River involving boaters and leaping sturgeon. Some of those boaters have been seriously injured, including two Live Oak residents who recently had a run-in with a sturgeon. In that accident, a child received a broken arm.

Dr. Sulak is the lead scientist for the Coastal Ecology and Conservation Research Group. He holds a PhD and master's from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine Science, and a bachelor's from Harvard University. From 1985-1994 Dr. Sulak was the Atlantic Reference Center Huntsmans Marine Science Centre Director and Senior Fish Biologist at New

NYT photo copywrited Oscar Sosa for The New York Times            Courtesy of SOSMP

Brunswick, Canada. He has conducted international research as a NATO Fellow in England, and as a US National Academy Exchange Scientist to Russia. Dr. Sulak conducts research and has published extensively on marine fish community structure, population biology, ecology, zoogeography and systematics. He has 30 years' experience with marine fish community research in the Atlantic, Arctic, East Pacific and Indian oceans, including submersible missions on Alvin, the NR-2 and the Johnson-Sea-Link.

Dr. Sulak said he is looking forward to the first in a series of lectures at the SOSMP on environment issues.

Upcoming lectures include a lecture on yellowtail tuna and oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and recreational fishery around the rigs. This should interest a lot of avid Gulf fisherman.

Other topics coming up include manatees and alligators. Watch for updates on this fascinating lecture series, the first of its kind in North Florida at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.

A jumping sturgeon

Dinner and beverages will be available at regular prices from the SOS Café and Restaurant during the lectures.

Please call 386-364-1683 for more information or go to our Website at www.musicliveshere.com to learn more about upcoming events at Florida’s Premier Campground and Music Hall.