The REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project operates worldwide, and REEF members are located all over the globe, but our physical location - and our home since REEF was founded in 1990 - has always been in the Florida Keys. The REEF Campus in Key Largo is a visitor center and nature center, which includes the historic REEF Headquarters building, the Interpretive Center, and an outdoor oasis including a Native Plants Trail, butterfly garden, and covered picnic and gathering area.
The REEF Headquarters building is a classic conch-style house, recognized as the oldest building in the upper Florida Keys still in its original location. In 2009, thanks to a generous gift, this building was renamed the James L. Lockwood REEF Headquarters. This building is the home base for many of our staff, interns, and volunteers. Inside the building are self-guided interpretive displays highlighting invasive species, endangered species, marine biodiversity, marine habitats of the Florida Keys, and more.
Opened in 2017, the Interpretive Center features a floor-to-ceiling underwater mural combining the many different marine ecosystems found in the Florida Keys. Educational groups are welcome to schedule a formal presentation centered around Fish ID, lionfish, or mangrove ecology. Visitors may also stop in for self-guided tours. Many of our public programs and Ocean Explorers Education Programs are held in the Interpretive Center.
An outdoor oasis and Native Plants Trail with covered seating, a bike rack, drinking fountain, informational kiosk, and educational signs. Visitors can enjoy exploring, walking the trail and learning about the native plants and animals of the Florida Keys. To celebrate REEF's 30th anniversary in 2020, we added the Ocean Unity garden display to commemorate 30 years of ocean conservation success. Throughout the summer of 2020, REEF members who donated $500 or more were honored with a personalized plaque. Generous donors of $5,000 or more were honored with a plaque and fish sculpture on top of the posts.
There is plenty to see and do at the REEF Campus, and we are proud to be part of the Florida Keys community. Want to come visit? The REEF Campus is located at MM 98.3 in the median along Overseas Highway. Our address is 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037. You can check our our calendar here to view a listing of upcoming events, and if you want to keep up with what's happening at the REEF Campus, you can click here to sign up to join our monthly REEF Campus and Keys Community email newsletter.