We are excited to welcome Brittany Parker to the REEF team. Brittany started in April 2018 and will be based at REEF Headquarters as the Education and Office Coordinator. Her primary roles at REEF will involve assisting with our growing Explorers Education Program and overseeing the organization of our store and Headquarters office. Read on to learn more about Brittany, and you can read the bios of all of our staff on our Staff Bio page. Our staff, together with our amazing volunteers and supporters, ensure that our critical marine conservation work can happen.
Brittany grew up in Akron, Ohio, and discovered her passion for the ocean from family vacations. She followed her interests to Florida where she attended the University of Tampa and earned her Bachelors of Science in Marine Science and Biology. Although her academic background is in science, she greatly enjoys teaching others about the ocean, which lead her to her initial jobs after graduating college - first as a Marine Educator at SeaCamp Inc. in Big Pine Key, and then as Lead Environmental Educator at Sanibel Sea School, on Florida's west coast. Following this, Brittany returned to the Florida Keys, this time in Key Largo, to work at MarineLab as a Field Instructor, where she continued to foster her passion for marine science education. During her four years at MarineLab, she earned her Divemaster certification, USCG 50 ton captains license, and even an Aquanaut Certificate. In addition she served as MarineLab's Outreach Coordinator, implementing a variety of environmentally-focused events and intiatives including marine debris cleanups and field-based community education programs for Keys residents. Her interest in marine conservation and education brought her to REEF, where she is excited to continue her career in the marine science world.
Welcome to the REEF team, Brittany!