Thank you to all who came to the Members' Only event. We all loved spending time with you. Thank you for your continued support!

Members' Event This Sunday!

Don't forget that our next Members’ Only Event is just around the corner, this Sunday, February, 26^th!  DRC will close our doors in the early afternoon to everyone but our members and their guests.  Activities for the afternoon are designed specifically for our greatest supporters as our way of saying thank you for making it possible for us to continue our mission.  This year’s event will be alcohol free with an expanded afternoon schedule to accommodate our ever-growing attendance. 

The event runs from 2:30 to 6:30 and will include:

·         Appetizers, snacks, and soft drinks throughout the day.

·         Trips out on the boardwalks to visit your favorite dolphins and have some up close and personal time for questions and answers with research, training, and education staff.
·         Special narrated sessions designed specifically for our members and guests.
·         Viewing of some new and unique DRC videos.
·         Our annual Sunset Celebration at 6:00 with the dolphins showing off their best moves to music with the Keys’ sunset in the background.

 This is usually a great time for all our members, their guests and especially for the dolphins.  The cost for each guest, more than the number you can normally bring in on your membership level, is $5.00. 

In order to make sure we have enough refreshments, we’d very much like to get an estimate of the number of people attending this year in advance.  If you think you’ll be able to attend and have not yet RSVP'd, or if you have any questions, please call us at 305-289-1121 x229 or email at drc-mbr@dolphins.org by Friday, February 24th!

Dad Rainbow, Mom Merina, all her siblings and the rest of the DRC family wish Calusa a very happy 11th birthday! Love you, Goose!

What happens if the DRC dolphins see their shadows on Feb 2? Maybe more people will come see them and enjoy FL Keys sunshine!

Lina Checks Out the Sea Lion Habitat

Our little sea lion girl, Lina, recently began spending time out on the full sea lion habitat.  You can bet this curious youngster is investigating every corner, rock and dock.  Big boy Kilo is showing her around their home. 

Don't you wish we knew what they were saying to each other?

Watch a story of Wounded Warriors visit to DRC now at www.visitflorida.com. Many thanks to Charles Evans Foundation for the experience

Charles Evans Day for the Wounded Warrior Project

January 13th was a very special day indeed at Dolphin Research Center. The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride visited DRC during their Florida Keys event and upwards of 30 soldiers enjoyed a complimentary Dolphin Encounter, made possible by the generous donation of the Charles Evans Foundation.

It wouldn't be possible to capture all of the smiles from that day, but here are a few photographs from the hundreds taken.

The soldiers and their support team receive a hero's welcome from DRC staff, volunteers and visitors!

The soldier was all smiles during the dorsal pull from A.J.  Jax tagged along to be part of the fun!

This group of soldiers were all smiles, interacting with Tanner and trainer Catherine Dunn (front) with assistance from Bette Zirkelbach (standing in back).

Who wouldn't love a kiss from Aleta?

DRC President & CEO Rita Irwin (right) and Director of Special Needs Joan Mehew proudly display the certificate presented to DRC from the Wounded Warrior Project

We're grateful to the Charles Evans Foundaton for providing this wonderful opportunity for some of our nation's heroes.  Thank you to Tilden's Dive Shop for loaning wetsuits to the soldiers, the Stuffed Pig, for the delicious lunch, Publix for utensils, paper goods and sodas, and the DRC volunteers for home-baked desserts.  We also appreciate Monroe County Mayor Dave Rice, Marathon Vice-Mayer Dick Ramsay, Marathon Councilman Mike Cinque and the numerous other local dignatiaries and visitors who came out to DRC on that day.