MCC Sandbar Lecture Series
Discover the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s free Sandbar Lecture Series every Tuesday in June at 5:30 p.m., featuring sharks, mammals, birds and reefs.
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is bringing back its popular Sandbar Lecture Series every Tuesday in June, offering locals and visitors an easy way to learn more about coastal wildlife, marine science, and regional ecosystems.
Held Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., the series features engaging, one-hour presentations led by subject matter experts. Topics this year range from sharks and marine mammals to Painted Buntings and the future of Earth’s coral reefs.
What is the Sandbar Lecture Series?
The Sandbar Lecture Series is designed to spark curiosity about regional history, coastal ecosystems, and the diverse wildlife found along the Carolina coast. Each talk is interactive and accessible for a wide range of ages, making it a great add-on for a museum visit.
Admission and cost
Sandbar lectures are included with regular Museum admission:
• Adults: $12
• Seniors: $10
• Children (ages 3–12): $8
June 2026 Sandbar Lecture schedule (Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.)
Sharks of the Carolinas — June 2
Coastal Carolina University marine biologist Shane Molander will explore the variety of shark species found along the coasts of North and South Carolina. The presentation will cover shark biology, behavior, and their ecological importance, along with recent research that sheds light on how sharks move, feed, and use coastal habitats.
Molander’s work focuses on shark and ray ecology, physiology, and behavior. Through Coastal Carolina University and Saving the Blue, his research spans coastal ecosystems from the Carolinas to The Bahamas and includes species such as bull sharks, tiger sharks, and sandbar sharks.
Marine Mammals and Habitats — June 9
This talk invites attendees to explore the world of marine mammals and the habitats they depend on. The presentation focuses on ways people can support healthier marine environments, with special attention to species facing extinction.
The presentation will be led by Mike Penninger of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Oak Island.
Stranded Marine Mammals — June 16
As part of the Museum’s World Ocean Day celebration, UNCW’s Mike Tift, Director of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program, will share how the program responds to sick, injured, and deceased whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals along the North Carolina coast.
Tift will highlight current research and conservation work underway at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, including:
• How whales, dolphins, and seals hold their breath and dive to extreme depths
• How marine mammal research can contribute to human and veterinary medicine
• How Antarctic marine mammals are responding to rapid sea ice loss linked to climate change
The talk will also spotlight ongoing efforts by the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program to better understand and protect marine mammals.
Painted Buntings in North Carolina — June 23
Local birder and conservation leader Evan Buckland will discuss efforts to monitor Painted Buntings in coastal North Carolina. Buckland holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Marine Biology from UNCW and has worked with the National Park Service and Audubon North Carolina, along with volunteering for multiple agencies and nonprofits.
Buckland is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Cape Fear Bird Observatory, whose mission is to promote conservation of birds and their habitats through research, education, outreach, and community involvement.
The presentation will cover the Observatory’s partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to build a network of local collaborators. The project aims to better understand Painted Bunting abundance, nesting ecology, and overwintering behavior in the coastal region.
What’s Happening to Earth’s Coral Reefs — June 30
UNCW’s Dr. Joseph Pawlik will examine the rapid decline of tropical coral reefs worldwide and what reefs may look like decades from now. Drawing comparisons between the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean, the presentation explores how future reef ecosystems could shift toward seaweeds, gorgonians, and sponges.
Pawlik will also discuss emerging research on carbon and nutrient cycling, including how seaweeds can release dissolved organic matter that some sponges consume, while sponges release inorganic nutrients that may further boost seaweed growth. As limestone reefs degrade, sponges may become a key source of structural habitat for fish and invertebrates.
Dr. Pawlik is the former Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Professor of Marine Biology at UNCW (2017–2025). He joined UNCW in 1991 and has authored more than 170 publications, many focused on sponge ecology on Caribbean coral reefs. He documents coral reef conditions worldwide through underwater video.
Plan your visit
For anyone interested in sharks, marine mammals, coastal birds, or coral reef science, the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s Sandbar Lecture Series offers a timely, local way to learn from experts while supporting coastal education.
To attend, arrive early for Museum admission and plan to be seated before the 5:30 p.m. start time.
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