Mote Marine Laboratory and the family of Dr. John Reynolds III invite you to remember the life and legacy of this influential scientist, conservationist and advocate at a celebration honoring his life at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, May 4, in Mote’s WAVE Center at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway.
“There are so many lives that were deeply touched by John in his capacity as a professor, researcher and presidential appointee for leadership in marine mammal conservation,” shared Mote Senior Scientist and longtime research partner and friend of Reynolds, Dr. Dana Wetzel. “John was truly dedicated to conservation and the protection of the environment, and his legacy will live on in his comprehensive work and through his mentorship of others. The loss of John will be felt deeply and for a long time, by many across the world.”
Reynolds joined Mote part-time in 2000 and as a full-time Senior Scientist in 2001. During his time at Mote, he helped the Lab become a beacon of conservation-focused science, particularly through his leadership of Mote’s Manatee Research Program — a cornerstone of scientific understanding and protection of these unique mammals in Florida and the Caribbean. The importance of this work cannot be overstated; Mote is one of the three primary groups maintaining a statewide catalog of Florida manatees – including more than 4,200 fully documented, recognizable animals. Reynolds and his team have done more aerial surveys for manatees than any other group of scientists in the world. He played a crucial role in advising plans for manatees’ reintroduction to Guadeloupe and worked closely with Mote’s Environmental Laboratory for Forensics scientists on studies of significantly vulnerable species including manatees, dugongs, bowhead and beluga whales, polar bears and sturgeon, often collaborating with and working to benefit subsistence communities that rely upon marine resources.
“John was an inspiring scientist who leaves a lasting legacy for marine conservation on a global scale, and he was a great friend to so many,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President & CEO of Mote. “John’s dedication to research and conservation, and his generosity of knowledge and friendship, will never be forgotten. He had a passionate belief that a scientist’s work is not truly effective unless it can be translated to sound conservation and management strategies, balanced with the needs of local communities. His life of professional focus on science-based solutions for addressing marine conservation challenges at local, regional, national and global scales has produced immense waves of impact within the international scientific community.”
Learn more about Dr. Reynolds.
To attend Friday’s celebration of life, please RSVP to: rememberingjohnreynolds@mote.org