Have you marked your calendar for REEF Fest? REEF Fest 2019 sponsored by Capital Bank Foundation is coming up on Oct. 17-20 in Key Largo, Florida! This annual four-day celebration includes educational ocean-themed seminars, social gatherings, diving, and eco-adventures alongside some of the most prestigious names in diving and marine conservation. All REEF Fest events are open to the public, but pre-registration is requested. You can view the schedule of event for REEF Fest here: www.REEF.org/REEFfest/schedule.

Diving and snorkeling trips are offered on the mornings of Oct. 18 and 19 with our REEF Fest dive partners: Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort, Quiescence Diving Services, Key Dives, and Horizon Divers. Space is limited, so make your reservations as soon as possible. There's no need to call a dive shop to book your space - you can register for REEF Fest diving online at www.REEF.org/REEFfest/diving.

In addition to our REEF Fest fish survey dive charters, on the morning of Oct. 19, we are offering a special lionfish hunting charter for 4 divers, generously sponsored by Forever Young Charter Company in Islamorada. Space is limited on this unique dive trip. If interested, visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest/diving/lionfish for more information.

Not a diver or snorkeler, but still want to get out on the water? We have partnered with Florida Bay Outfitters to offer kayaking eco-tours on the mornings of Oct. 18 and 19 as well. For more information or to register, visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest/ecotour.

Don’t forget to purchase your ticket to 'For the Love of the Sea'  Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 19, sponsored by the Carrow Foundation. Visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest/dinnerticket to purchase your ticket today. Tickets include hors d'oeuvres, a three-course meal, open bar with liquor, wine, and local craft beer provided by Florida Keys Brewing Company; alongside live music and a silent auction featuring artwork and dive vacation packages including a 7-night Philippines vacation courtesy of Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards. You can also view the other REEF Fest social events here: www.REEF.org/REEFfest/social.

We are especially excited about this year's lineup of seminar speakers, listed below. View all the details of our ocean-themed REEF Fest seminar series at www.REEF.org/REEFfest/seminars.

Thursday, Oct. 17, 7:30 pm: “The Future for Sea Turtles on a Warming Planet" presented by Selina Heppell, Ph.D., Professor, Oregon State University

Friday, Oct. 18, 2:30 pm: "Fishwatchers’ Notebook: Stories and images of great finds and fun adventures” presented by Jeff Haines and Carol Cox

3:30 pm: “The Power of Marine Citizen Science” presented by Ben Holt, Ph.D., Director of the Rock Pool Project

4:30 pm: “Reef Fish Behavior, 2nd Edition: Twenty joy-filled years in the making” presented by Ned and Anna DeLoach, REEF Trustees, Co-founders, and Renowned Underwater Photographer and Videographer

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2:30 pm: “Blooms of Blue-green Algae in South Florida: Ecological causes and human health consequences” presented by Larry Brand, Ph.D., Professor, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

3:30 pm: “Lionfish and Nassau Grouper: A tale of two fish and how stakeholder collaboration leads to conservation success” presented by Christy Pattengill-Semmens, Ph.D., and Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., REEF Director of Science and REEF Invasive Species Program Manager

4:30 pm: “Marine Heatwaves: What 5,000 citizen scientists can tell us about 85,000 beached birds” presented by Julia Parrish, Ph.D., Professor, University of Washington and Executive Director of COASST

We hope to see you this October in Key Largo! If you have any questions, email events@REEF.org.