Programs

  Oct. 2025-April 2026

9:15 AM

We are pleased to present our planned programs for the upcoming season of the SCC Audubon Club.  Meetings commence with a social gathering at 9:15, followed by a short business meeting at 10:00 am, with the speaker beginning their presentation at around 10:30 am.

OCTOBER 4, 2025,   FLORIDA ROOM AT THE ATRIUM

The Skies at Night

Howard Hochhalter

Howard Hochhalter never anticipated becoming a self-taught man of science. As a young Marine proudly serving his country, he was more inclined to travel and see the world than ponder complex cosmological questions. However, years later a chance visit to a local planetarium ended up changing the course of his life. Inside that darkened theater Howard’s curiosity for astronomy was ignited. He marveled at the awe and majesty of the cosmos. That spark set alight a thirst for knowledge which motivated him into a non-stop pursuit of more... more knowledge, more science, more universe. His dedicated passion was eventually rewarded with a career working at the premier astronomy education facility on Florida's west coast. Never one to waste an opportunity to inspire, Howard quickly used the platform of the planetarium and engaged his audiences with informative introductions to every show. This created a demand for deeper discussions and paved the way for daily live star talks, monthly children events, and in-depth evening lectures. Howard has become a community treasure and outreaches through schools, clubs and libraries, and appears on local news and radio programs. Howard’s engaging and entertaining style of teaching, coupled with his informative analogies and metaphors, peel away the intimidating veil of science and make astronomy accessible to all. Howard lives with his wife and children far from the city to better appreciate the dark night skies.

Howard left his position as Manager and Director of the Planetarium at the Bishop Museum after 14 years and is currently board officer and founding member of the Suncoast Stargazers, a local astronomy community with 900+ members. He is and has been a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2020. 

The presentation will cover the seasonal sky visible to us from Florida and how and when to see what is visible to the naked eye, binoculars as well as telescopes. Some other topics that will be included are the constellations (quite a few birds up there) and their mythologies and their historical connections to the sky. Our speaker will discuss upcoming meteor showers and tips on how to get the most out of them, as well as managing expectations. We will explore astronomical phenomena and how they reveal the nature of our universe. A Q and A will follow, but Howard always welcome questions during the presentation.

Howard will be using planetarium software that will accurately show the sky above us from any location, at nearly any time in history, present and future. I will also have available 3D Universe software that will help to illustrate our place within the galaxy, within the super cluster, and in the mapped universe. 

NOVEMBER 1, 2025,   FLORIDA ROOM AT THE ATRIUM

Springs Restoration

Tom Ries, Ecosphere Restoration Institute

Tom Ries is President and Founder of Ecosphere Restoration Institute.
 
Tom is a nationally known Ecologist with more than 37 years of experience in restoring natural systems in Southwest Florida. His work has garnered numerous environmental awards and resulted in the restoration of more than 2,400 acres of wetlands. In 2013, Tom received a prestigious National Wetlands Award in Conservation & Restoration from the Environmental Law Institute, in Washington DC.
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Tom founded Ecosphere Restoration Institute in 2007 to advance restoration activities through innovative public-private partnerships. 
 

DECEMBER 6, 2025,   COMMUNITY HALL

Regional Wading Bird Surveys

Jeff Liechty, Sanctuary Manager

Audubon Florida, Florida Coastal Island Sanctuaries

Jeff joined the Audubon flock in 2017 as a rooftop biologist in Tampa Bay, then served as coastal biologist at the Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries (FCIS) before taking the helm as Sanctuary Manager in 2025.

Jeff works to protect the many nesting islands around the Tampa Bay region and beyond, with a focus on reducing the harm caused by fishing line entanglement by banding rehabbed pelicans, working with local rehabbers, raising funds, and educating the public.

Jeff also co-authored a paper in the journal Avian Conservation and Ecology titled ‘Survival of fallen and Returned Rooftop Nesting Least Tern Chicks.’ He also monitors bird nesting islands and responds to disturbances.

Jeff’s presentation will focus on the Annual Wading Bird Surveys conducted in the local region. Sun City Center has participated in these surveys for the last several years focusing on sites in Kings Point, Middle Lake, and North Lake. Jeff will talk about methodology, results, and the importance of citizen scientist provided data.

JANUARY 3, 2026,  COMMUNITY HALL

Native and Exotic Wildlife

Justin Matthews, Matthews Wildlife Rescue

Justin Matthews, Master Falconer and Wildlife Rescuer was born in Manatee County. From a very young age he had an interest in anything wild, and was always bringing home snakes, lizards, frogs, etc. He was always reading about reptiles and other wildlife, so at a very young age was fairly knowledgeable, and by the age of 13 was doing wildlife presentations at his middle school. By 15 he started volunteering at a wildlife rehab center, and that is where he met Tom Muholland, a licensed master falconer. Tom spent a lot of time teaching Justin all he knew about falconry. At 16 Justin got his permit and has been a falconer ever since. He is now a master falconer.

Justin will be talking about Florida wildlife and displaying some of his non-human friends who could include, Cosmo the great horned owl, Lynard the screech owl, Sugar, a 7 ft boa constrictor, and Meranda, the alligator. Fun Times!

FEBRUARY 7, 2026,   FLORIDA ROOM AT THE ATRIUM

Manatees

Stan Kroh, Manager, Land and Water Programs, TECO

Stan Kroh has been the Manager of Land and Stewardship Programs for Tampa Electric Company for the past 16 years. Prior to that, he worked for the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County where he was involved in wetlands protection. He currently chairs the Hillsborough Greenways Committee and serves as President of the Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance. He is also active on the board of the Learning Gate Community School, a K-8 charter school with an environmental focus. He is a Registered Environmental Manager (REM), a Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO) and a Certified Waste Management Professional (CWMP). He has a Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Environmental Horticulture from UF and a Master’s in Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health from USF.

Stan will be talking about manatees and the Florida Manatee Viewing Center and its history.

MAR 7, 2026,  FLORIDA ROOM AT THE ATRIUM

TO BE DETERMINED

APRIL 4, 2026,  FLORIDA ROOM AT THE ATRIUM

Alligators

KENT A. VLIET, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Laboratories, Department of Biology, University of Florida

Dr. Kent Vliet from the University Of Florida. Kent has been researching alligators for over 45 years. He is one of the world’s leading authorities on American Alligator biology, courtship, and conservation.

Dr. Vliet will be talking about everything alligator!

Order Kent’s book on Amazon: Alligators: The Illustrated Guide To Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation.