Friends of the Marine Science Center

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

This summer, Crabby Joe’s is teaming up with St. Augustine Distillery Company & Friends of the Marine Science Center for 'Keepin’ It Local' — a limited-time menu featuring local flavors, coastal favorites, & a cause close to home starting June 1st.

From sweet heat wings & fresh snapper to tropical cocktails, low ABV sips, & booze-free refreshers, every featured item gives back — with $1 donated to support marine animal rescue, rehabilitation, & education in our community!

Eat local. Drink local. Protect local. 🌊🐢

05/22/2026

Meet Kiwi and Papaya! Did you know if you stop to look down just before the bird boardwalk you can watch our resident box turtle and gopher tortoise? Make sure to say hi next time👋🐢

05/22/2026

Share the Shore this Holiday Weekend ☀

Be on the look-out for ground-nesting shorebirds that use a wide variety of coastal habitats, including sandy beaches, barrier islands, marshes, and shell rakes to nest and raise their young.

👉 Here are a few things you can do to help shorebirds this nesting season:
🦩 Give birds space: Getting too close can force birds away from their nest, leaving eggs and small chicks vulnerable to predators, possibly getting stepped on and other elements!
🚫 DO NOT enter posted areas, even if you don’t see a bird. Some are well-camouflaged, making nest and chicks almost impossible to see to the untrained eye!
🐕 No dogs! Even the friendliest pup can frighten shorebirds. If you bring your pet with you, go to a dog-friendly beach, and keep them on a leash.
🗑️ Stash the trash! Garbage and other scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows that prey on eggs and small chicks.

Help protect Florida’s coastal wildlife this holiday weekend! 🌊

📸Photo: FWC

05/18/2026

05/13/2026

Meet our Spring 2026 Sponsor Spotlight Melanie Nordstromom of Beach Rentals and Refreshments of Volusia County!

Melanie Nordstrom has spent nearly two decades helping shape the beach experience across Volusia County. As Co-Owner and President of Beach Rentals & Refreshments of Volusia County, she works closely with local vendors, beach communities, and Volusia County to help keep the shoreline welcoming and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. Through her support of the Friends of the Marine Science Center, Melanie continues to invest in protecting the coastal environment that has played such an important role in her life.

We were able to catch up with Melanie for a Q & A to find out a little more about her:

How does Beach Rentals & Refreshments of Volusia County directly support the Friends of the Marine Science Center?

Through:
Education & Public Awareness
During sea turtle nesting season, our beach attendants and vendors actively help educate beachgoers on responsible beach practices. Because our teams are present on the beach daily and interact with thousands of visitors throughout the season, they often provide real-time guidance when situations arise. This includes reminding patrons to properly fill in sand holes after building sandcastles, avoid disturbing marked sea turtle nests, properly dispose of trash, and use only turtle-friendly/infrared lighting at night to help protect nesting turtles and hatchlings.In addition, during washback season from August through November, our staff helps educate beachgoers about young sea turtles, known as washbacks, found among sargassum seaweed washed ashore.

Financial Contributions & Fundraising Efforts
Several of our local vendors directly contribute financially to the Friends of the Marine Science Center throughout turtle nesting season. For example, the Ice Queen Truck in New Smyrna Beach offers a seasonal “Turtle Menu,” where a portion of proceeds from select menu items is donated to the organization. Additional vendors also contribute portions of their sales monthly during nesting season to help support marine animal rehabilitation, conservation programs, and educational outreach initiatives conducted by the Marine Science Center.

Community Support & Event Sponsorships
Beach Rentals & Refreshments is also a proud annual sponsor of Turtle Day, the educational and conservation-focused event hosted each April by the Friends of the Marine Science Center. The Ice Queen Truck, one of our local beach vendors and ice cream truck, also participates in and supports the Turtle Day event each year.

What inspired you to start supporting the Friends of the Marine Science Center?

What really inspired myself and my team to support the Friends of the Marine Science Center comes directly from the work I do every day. Our operations on the beach are governed by the County’s Habitat Conservation Plan, and every one of our vendors is required to be certified annually to ensure we’re protecting the coastal environment and wildlife.

Because of that, conservation isn’t just something I care about—it’s something I actively work within. So to me, it felt like a natural extension to support the organization that’s actually out in the field doing the hands-on work—rescuing wildlife, rehabilitating turtles and animals, and educating the public.

Do you have a favorite memory or experience related to the Marine Science Center or the beach here in Volusia County?

My connection to the Marine Science Center really goes back years through my kids—they’ve been visiting since elementary school, and we’ve always loved attending events like Turtle Day. But a moment that really stood out to me was being invited on a private tour of the new raptor exhibit while it was still under construction. Seeing that behind the scenes, and learning how it would serve as both a sanctuary and an educational space, gave me a whole new appreciation for the work they do and the impact they have on the community.

For those who may not be familiar, can you tell us what Beach Rentals & Refreshments of Volusia County offers?

Beach Rentals & Refreshments of Volusia County is the County’s contracted provider for beach concession services, so essentially we manage and oversee everything that enhances the beach experience for both residents and visitors.At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to make the beach enjoyable, well-run, and reflective of the quality of our community.

If someone booked the “ultimate Melanie beach day,” what would it look like?

I love this question because my perfect day always involves the beach. For me, it’s all about ease, relaxation, and not having to do a lot of work to enjoy the day—that’s really where our services come in.

My ‘ultimate Melanie beach day’ would start with a pre-arranged setup at Ormond Beach, close to home—umbrellas and chairs already set, so I can just walk out and settle in. I’d spend the day relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the water without having to think about logistics.

I’d definitely make sure I was near one of our great food trucks for lunch, and at some point, cool off with ice cream from one of our roving vendors—it’s kind of a must on the beach.

And the best part is at the end of the day, there’s no packing up or hauling equipment—everything is taken care of. I can just enjoy the time, especially with family and friends, which is really what it’s all about for

Where can people find you or book their next beach day experience?

The easiest way to find us and book your beach day is through our website. We serve multiple locations all along the Volusia County shoreline, so depending on where you’re visiting—Ormond Beach, Daytona, the Shores, or New Smyrna—you can find the nearest service location there.

We have a very simple online booking system that allows you to reserve everything in advance, so your setup is ready and waiting when you arrive.

You can go directly to www.beachrentalsvc.com/book-now to book, and from there we’ll take care of the rest.

Any final message you’d like to share with the community?

The beaches we all enjoy are shaped by the small businesses, families, and individuals who show up every day to make that experience special.

When you choose to support local vendors, you’re not just making a purchase—you’re supporting families, creating opportunities, and helping keep our beach culture unique to Volusia County.

I think we all have a role in that. The more we invest in our local community, the stronger and more vibrant it becomes—not just for us, but for future generations as well.

05/07/2026

Because of your generosity and support, we at the Friends of the Marine Science Center were able to raise more than $35,000 to provide a new state-of-the-art veterinary ultrasound system for the turtle hospital at the Marine Science Center. 🩺🐢

This incredible technology will help the team better diagnose and monitor the turtles in their care, allowing for even more advanced treatment and rehabilitation efforts.

We are so grateful to every person who donates, shares and supports our mission. This is a direct result of a community that truly cares about protecting and rehabilitating sea turtles right here in Volusia County.

If you’d like to help support future equipment, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts, please visit friendsofthemarinesciencecenter.com

Volusia County’s Marine Science Center has a new, state-of-the-art veterinary ultrasound system, made possible through the support of the Friends of the Marine Science Center, who raised more than $35,000 to fund the purchase of the equipment. 🩺

Ultrasound technology is routinely used at the Marine Science Center to evaluate care for sea turtles and other marine animals. The investment reflects the strong partnership between the Marine Science Center and its community supporters, whose contributions directly enhance the level of care available to injured and recovering animals. Through continued collaboration, the MSC remains focused on its mission to rehabilitate wildlife, educate the public, and promote environmental stewardship throughout Volusia County.

For more information about the Marine Science Center and its programs, visit www.marinesciencecenter.com.