The 2009-2010 Meet the Scientist Lecture Series got off to a great start, with a panel discussion about local, regional and international conservation matters. Approximately 230 people attended this free event, which took place Wednesday, October 14 th at Jupiter High School. After a presentation by the three panelists, a Q&A session followed.

Tom Twyford, President of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, discussed the changes the club has undergone in its 75-year history, as well how the club has made sustainability a priority in its efforts. Paul Davis, of Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management, described numerous conservation projects currently in the works countywide. Finally, Paul Reillo of the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation gave a very inspiring description of a repatriation project of Mountain Bongo from captive U.S. stock back to Kenya.

The Meet the Scientist Lecture Series is a joint program of the Taras Oceanographic Foundation and the JERFSA, the Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy of Jupiter Community High School. The series is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jupiter and Tequesta and all lectures are open and free to the public. All events are held at the auditorium of Jupiter High School, located at 500 N. Military Trail in Jupiter, Florida, from 7PM to 9PM. For more information, please go to www.taras.org or call Lance Millar at (561) 843-0208.