As marine life lovers, we know that diversity is what makes our planet unique. In celebration of diversity above and below the waves, please join us for our annual webinar, Oceans for All: Exploring Diverse Experiences in Marine Conservation. This free webinar will take place on Tuesday, November 4, at 8 pm ET and will be hosted as a panel discussion featuring guest speakers from ocean conservation and science fields.
The votes have been counted, and we're excited to share the 2025 Discover the Sea Photography Contest results! Nearly 400 stunning photos were submitted to this year's contest, and over 3,000 votes were cast! First, second, and third place winners were selected via popular vote for each of the following photo categories: Fish Portrait, Macro, Invertebrate, Comedy, and Habitat/Seascape/Environment. Visit this page to view all the winning photos.
Join REEF’s upcoming second Field Survey Trip to Northern Sulawesi on the special Passport to Paradise itinerary, allowing you to explore three incredible destinations in one trip! The adventure begins with four nights at Murex Manado Resort, home to stunning wall dives and an amazing diversity of species. Following this, we'll head to Murex Bangka Resort, where the pristine reefs are teeming with life.
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Educator in the Field Fellowship! This unique opportunity invites one exceptional educator to join the REEF Field Survey Trip to Bonaire on July 11–18, 2026, for an immersive week of marine conservation, citizen science, and hands-on learning. Through the Fellowship, educators gain firsthand experience in fish identification, data collection, and marine research methods. The selected Fellow may participate in the trip as a diver or snorkeler.
REEF Fest is nearly here, and we couldn't be more excited for our annual marine conservation celebration in Key Largo! If you're planning to attend, we look forward to seeing you soon. If you haven't yet registered, you can still make plans to join us Oct 16-19 for ocean presentations, fun socials, and more. Check out all the details and register for REEF Fest at www.REEF.org/REEFfest.
At the end of this month, REEF staff members and partners from collaborating institutions including Scripps Oceanography and Oregon State University will be attending the scientific conference hotsted by the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) in Cartagena, Colombia. This annual gathering brings together scientists, park managers, fishers, and conservation organizations to share the latest in research and initiatives. We will be presenting on several of REEF's programs at this year's conference. A full listing of presentations is below.
Join REEF in kicking off the holiday season with beer and holiday cheer at Florida Keys Brewing Co. for the 4th Annual Merry Fishmas Trivia Night!
Trivia is free to play and prizes will be awarded to top-scoring teams
We are thrilled to welcome Chesley Davis to the REEF team as Director of Learning and Engagement. Based at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL, Chesley brings a passion for teaching climate and environmental science through hands-on learning experiences. In her role, Chesley oversees REEF Ocean Explorers education programs, helping to connect learners of all ages with marine science and conservation. She also supports community outreach and educational initiatives at the new Ocean Exploration Center.