On November 6, 2025, The Marine Discovery Center is bringing their Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, with a handpicked lineup of 120 minutes of short films focused on outdoor adventure, conservation, and environmental activism — all under the stars at their Hunter Amphitheater.
Guests can look forward to a relaxing evening at their outdoor amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and coolers to settle in for an inspiring night featuring a short presentation by Dr. Todd Osborne followed by a lineup of thought-provoking films from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. It’s a laid-back, community-focused event that celebrates nature, conservation, and the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon.
The Marine Discovery Center (MDC) is a nonprofit environmental education organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Florida’s coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems through hands-on learning, scientific research, and community engagement.
Founded in 1997, MDC operates from a former high school campus in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, surrounded by more than 22 acres of lagoon habitat. What began as community conversations in the early 1990s has grown into a thriving eco-destination that welcomes 30,000 visitors annually from around the world.
Supported by more than 500 dedicated volunteers, MDC combines education with action — training citizen scientists to monitor water quality, sea grass, and marine species while cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards. Through partnerships with universities, government agencies, and conservation organizations, MDC has become a model for community-based coastal conservation, proving that local action can create lasting change for precious marine ecosystems.
For over 25 years, the Marine Discovery Center has been the gateway to understanding one of nature’s most spectacular treasures: the Indian River Lagoon. As the most biologically diverse estuary in North America, this 156-mile coastal wonder is home to more than 4,000 species, and MDC brings its magic to life through immersive, hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages.
MDC’s certified naturalists and educators lead daily boat and kayak eco-tours that transform the lagoon into an outdoor classroom. Monthly free public lectures deepen community understanding of coastal ecology, while year-round programs serve everyone from pre-K students to adults. The center offers summer camps for nearly 400 children annually, school field trips that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and Coastal Ecosystem classes through the Florida Master Naturalist Program.
MDC empowers community members to become active participants in protecting the lagoon. In partnership with universities and conservation organizations, the center coordinates citizen science initiatives including water-quality monitoring, sea grass surveys, horseshoe crab studies, and the groundbreaking Shuck and Share Oyster Recycling Project. These programs turn passion into action, giving volunteers the tools to make measurable impacts on ecosystem health.
Beyond education and conservation, MDC serves as a gathering place for the community, hosting special events, symposiums, fundraisers, and celebrations throughout the year. Admission to the facility and grounds is free, ensuring everyone can connect with this vital ecosystem.
Amy Childs, the Marine Discovery Center’s Marketing and Event Coordinator, says, “hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour helps the Marine Discovery Center share our mission of protecting and restoring the Indian River Lagoon with a wider audience. The event not only raises funds for our education and conservation programs but also connects our community to the global environmental movement, encouraging awareness, inspiration, and action to protect our local ecosystems.
She goes on to say that “our favorite part is watching the community come together, families, friends, and nature lovers all enjoying an evening outdoors while supporting a meaningful cause. There’s something special about seeing people relax, learn, and be inspired to make a difference right here at home.”
