PONCE INLET, Fla. – Volusia County’s Marine Science Center is back open after being closed for 10 months for major renovations.
Located in Ponce Inlet, the center now features several new exhibits and remains one of the busiest animal rescue hospitals in the state.
The county invested over $4.2 million into these renovations. The goal is to boost tourism and educate visitors about Central Florida’s ecosystems while also helping animals in need.
[See previous coverage on Volusia County’s Marine Science Center project]
New additions include an education building, a working coral lab, a living shoreline and a living reef exhibit. Manager Chad MacFie said he hopes these exciting features will enhance the center’s impact on visitors.
Another unique addition is a replica of the sunken ship Lady Philomena. This ship was confiscated by U.S. Border Patrol for smuggling cocaine to Miami. Volusia County received the ship and sank it 13 miles offshore to create a reef.
The replica and other new features were funded through an ECHO grant, ARPA, and donations.
“We need the public to come in and learn about Volusia County’s marine and terrestrial habitats and learn ways we can help reduce those impacts,” MacFie said.
The center has increased its capacity, especially for turtles, which is extremely helpful. This year has already set a record for turtle rescues.
“I think our previous record was about 230 sea turtles. So far this year, we’re already up to 260, and we still have six months to go,” MacFie said.
The renovations also included new quarantine areas and additional hospital space. MacFie mentioned that they are taking in more gopher tortoises this year, among several species of animals needing rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
“We’re able to create sterile separate spaces, a new commissary, and renovate our hospitals so we’re more efficient at treating the 1,100 birds that we bring in every year,” MacFie said.
The center is still in need of over 100 volunteers.
If you’re interested in helping out, you can find more information here.