Guided by the principle “Think Globally, Act Locally” (René Dubos), The Mott- Dansby Conservation Conversations lecture series unites South Florida’s leading voices in conservation, sustainability, and restoration for an inspiring evening series at the Gardens.
The 2025–26 theme, Florida Wildlife – Capturing the Essence of Wild Florida, celebrates the beauty and significance of our native species. From birds and manatees to seabirds and panthers, renowned speakers will share fresh insights into the wildlife that defines our state—and the role each of us plays in protecting it.
Now in its third year, Conservation Conversations has become a vibrant gathering place for learning, dialogue, and community. Guests enjoy engaging talks, refreshments, and evening strolls through the Gardens, leaving with new perspectives and a deeper connection to Florida’s wild places.
The format will be a presentation followed by discussion. Reservations and ticket purchase required.
Hidden Flights: Stories of South Florida’s Birds and the Spaces They Need
Monday December 8, 2025 | 6 pm
Join us as Corey Callaghan, Ph.D. explores how South Florida’s landscape is alive with movement and connection—from pollinators that depend on specific host plants to migratory birds that travel thousands of miles to reach the spaces we shape.
Dr. Callaghan will reveal how wildlife tells the story of South Florida’s past, present, and future, and how simple actions—like sharing observations and creating welcoming habitats—can turn anyone into a steward for imperiled species and spaces. Together, we’ll reimagine what conservation can look like in our own backyards.
About the Speaker
Corey T. Callaghan, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, based at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, Florida. He has published more than 100 scientific papers at both global and local scales, covering diverse species from butterflies to birds. His research uses “big data,” often contributed through citizen science initiatives such as iNaturalist and eBird, to understand biodiversity in space and time, with a focus on how it responds to human-driven habitat change. When not working, Dr. Callaghan can be found birding or exploring nature throughout Florida and beyond.
Website: www.coreytcallaghan.com
Conservation Alliance Partner:
The mission of the Friends is to promote the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and the one-of-a-kind Everglades ecosystem.
Male Magnolia Warbler
@Corey Callaghan
Senator William Frist, M.D.
TNC Global Board Chair and Founding Partner of Frist Cressey Ventures
By Invitation Only
Fireside Chat with Senator Bill Frist
In partnership with The Nature Conservancy
Wednesday, January 21 | 6 PM
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is honored to welcome Senator William Frist, M.D., for a dynamic Conservation Conversation in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. Senator Frist will join Frances Fisher, ANSG Board Chairwoman, for an engaging fireside chat exploring the vital connection between human health and the health of our natural world.
What if the most powerful medicine isn’t found in a pill or a procedure—but in the soil beneath our feet, the air we breathe, and the trees outside our window? As a nationally recognized heart and lung transplant surgeon and Chair of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Board of Directors, Senator Frist brings a unique perspective to this timely dialogue. His insights highlight how the health of people and the planet are deeply intertwined—and how protecting our environment is essential to safeguarding future generations. The Nature Conservancy’s work is grounded in science, but it’s inspired by our shared experiences with nature. This conversation will explore how those experiences, coupled with bold action and conservation leadership, are key to building a healthier, more resilient future for our communities and our planet.
Feathered Sentinels of the Everglades
Sunday, February 22 | 1:30 PM
Join us for an inspiring presentation by Mark Cook, Ph.D., leading avian scientist in Everglades restoration, as he explores the lives of four iconic wading bird species of the Everglades: the Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis, Wood Stork, and the American Flamingo.
Through a powerful blend of award-winning photography and the latest scientific research, Dr. Cook will reveal how these remarkable birds serve as both indicators of Everglades restoration success and vital players in maintaining the ecosystem’s health.
Learn what it will take to conserve and recover each of these species—and what the future may hold for these feathered sentinels of one of America’s most treasured landscapes.
About the speaker: Dr. Mark Cook is a British-born avian ecologist and restoration scientist who has studied bird behavior and conservation ecology for over 28 years. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Marine Zoology from the University of Bangor, an MSc in Ecology from Durham University, and a PhD from the University of Glasgow, where he focused on the breeding strategies of Arctic seabirds. His research has explored the ecology and evolution of bird behavior in relation to environmental conditions, spanning species as diverse as wading birds and waterfowl in the Everglades, songbirds in the rainforests of Puerto Rico and Spain, parakeets in Venezuela, seabirds off the coasts of Scotland and California, and conservation work in Tanzania. Currently, Mark serves as Section Leader of the Systemwide Everglades Research Group at the South Florida Water Management District, where for the past two decades his work has centered on the restoration and management of birds and aquatic fauna in the Everglades and Florida Bay. His research examines the links between wading bird reproduction, aquatic prey dynamics, hydrology, and the effects of non-native species, as well as the role of wildlife in nutrient cycling. He has authored more than 50 scientific publications and was honored with the Everglades Champion Award by Audubon Florida for his contributions to wading bird conservation.
Over time, Mark’s scientific documentation evolved into an artistic pursuit, using photography to reveal the beauty and complexity of the natural world he studies. With his deep understanding of animal behavior and access to South Florida’s most remote wetlands, he captures powerful images that blend art and science to inspire environmental appreciation and stewardship. His award-winning photographs have been featured internationally—including by the BBC and The Guardian—and were recently showcased at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates.
Conservation Alliance Partner
The mission of Audubon Everglades is to educate and inspire people to conserve wildlife, especially birds, and the habitats and environments that support them.
photo credit: Mark Cook
Protecting Florida’s Wild Landscapes: A Conversation with Dr. Hilary Swain
Eyes Dwell on the Same Place: Inspired by the Art of Paul Gervais
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 1:30 PM
Join internationally respected conservation scientist Hilary Swain, Ph.D., former Executive Director of Archbold Biological Station, for the final program in this season’s Conservation Conversations.
Over her remarkable 30-year tenure, Dr. Swain helped transform Archbold from 5,000 acres to a 20,000-acre field station, recognized globally for its leadership in ecological research and conservation, lying within a network of more than 160,000 acres of protected lands.
Through stories from her career, Dr. Swain will reflect on the evolution of conservation in Florida and the vital role science plays in protecting the state’s unique ecosystems. From ancient scrub habitats to working landscapes managed through prescribed fire, she will explore how research, stewardship, and collaboration are essential to sustaining Florida’s lands, waters, and wildlife.
Inspired by the work of Paul Gervais, including Archbold Scrub and The Ranch, previously featured at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Dr. Swain will reflect on how art and science observe the same landscapes, offering complementary ways of understanding and protecting Florida’s fragile ecosystems for generations to come.
Dr. Hilary Swain is Executive Director Emerita at Archbold Biological Station in central Florida. From 1995-2025, she led science, conservation, and education programs, and multiple partnerships at this internationally recognized biological field station, which lies about two hours drive northwest of Palm Beach. She continues to serve science and conservation in Florida, drawing from her knowledge and experience to protect the vital lands and waters of our state.
Ann Norton Sculpture Garden represents Ann’s commitment to conservation and the preservation of a quiet retreat in the midst of a burgeoning city. Designed by Sir Peter Smithers, with Ann, her monumental sculptures are discovered amidst the dense, jungle-like vegetation. The Museum/Arboretum contains a collection of rare palms and cycads along with a Pollinator Garden, Wildflower Meadow and historic Norton House and Artist Studio.