On Tuesday, February 26, REEF will host a community panel discussion to raise awareness about how volunteers contribute to scientific understanding of the Florida Keys environment. Rick Bonney of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York will lead the discussion. Florida Keys-based citizen science practitioners will present on local projects and ways for volunteers to get involved. Topics include fish and bird surveying, native plants and coral restoration. A reception with the speakers will begin at 6:30, followed by presentations at 7 PM. This event will be held at the Key Largo Public Library and is free and open to the public.
Speakers include:
- Leda Cunningham, REEF
- Rick Bonney, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
- Bryant and Nancy Diersing, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (volunteers)
- Janice Duquesnel, Florida State Parks
- Ken Nedimyer, Coral Restoration Foundation
A second panel discussion will be held on Wednesday, March 12 at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West and will focus on citizen science projects in the lower Florida Keys. Speakers include:
- Leda Cunningham, REEF
- Rick Bonney, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
- Alison Higgins, The Nature Conservancy
- Cory Walter, Mote Marine Laboratory
- Jonathan Rizzo, National Weather Service
Please join REEF staff and community partners for at least one of these educational evenings.