The 2019 Conchologists of America Convention took place last week, on Captiva Island, a few miles from the Museum. The convention was a huge success, with well-attended sessions, silent auctions, field trips, and a number of different activities and gatherings. The oral auction of shells and related items raises funds to sponsor the bulk of the COA Academic Grants Program, which this year awarded $25,900 to 15 students. This year’s convention celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Museum’s Founding Director, R. Tucker Abbott; I presented “Tucker and the Shell Museum,” the first talk in a very nice series of programs. The photo shows the closing banquet with Hank Chaney, from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, who reminisced about the unique and charismatic Tucker Abbott. Next year’s convention take place from June 15–21, 2020, in Melbourne, Florida. Visit the COA web site here.
Comments