Date: November 18, 2025
Topic: Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative
We’re excited to welcome back JoEllen K. Wilson, M.S. of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) for our November Coffee & Conservation session! JoEllen will share the latest updates from the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative, including research from new study sites on the Cape Haze Peninsula and Coral Creek, as well as ongoing restoration efforts throughout Charlotte Harbor.
About the Talk:
Tarpon are one of Florida’s most iconic fish, but their survival depends on healthy mangrove backwater wetlands that serve as nurseries for juveniles. Sadly, Florida has already lost nearly 50% of its mangroves, threatening tarpon populations. BTT’s Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative works to map, protect, and restore these critical habitats, ensuring the next generation of tarpon can thrive.
JoEllen will highlight how degraded wetlands are being restored, how habitats are integrated into fisheries management plans, and what BTT’s science-based conservation efforts mean for the future of tarpon in Charlotte Harbor and beyond.
About the Speaker:
JoEllen K. Wilson is BTT’s Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Program Manager and a proud Punta Gorda native. She has been with BTT since 2009 and oversees juvenile tarpon habitat research from South Carolina to the Florida Keys. Her work includes mapping juvenile tarpon habitats, leading restoration projects, and engaging the public in habitat protection. JoEllen holds degrees from the University of North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the University of Florida.
About Bonefish & Tarpon Trust:
BTT is dedicated to conserving bonefish, tarpon, permit, and their habitats across the southeastern U.S., Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Their mission is driven by science, education, and advocacy, with initiatives such as the Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative and projects like the Rookery Bay Restoration Project helping to secure healthy fisheries for the future.
🌱 All donations from this event will directly support Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
👉 Learn more at BTT.org/juvenile-tarpon
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