Our annual fundraising match is here - and that means when you make a contribution to REEF this summer, your gift has twice the impact for the oceans. Now through August 8, all donations to REEF will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $70,000! We are so thankful to our three foundation partners, the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, the Henry Foundation, and the Meyer Foundation, for their longtime support of REEF by providing our summer donation match. You can make a donation online at www.REEF.org/donate.
REEF is excited to announce the new Marine Conservation Fellow Program, and we are currently seeking qualified individuals to apply for three open positions, each with a different focus. Current fellowship openings include: Education and Events, Communications and Outreach, and Conservation Science. The fellowship is designed to equip recent college graduates and other early career individuals with the tools, experiences, support, and community they need to become leaders in marine conservation.
Mark your calendar for REEF Fest, coming up on October 13-16, 2022 in Key Largo, Florida. REEF Fest is an annual celebration of marine conservation, featuring free ocean-themed seminars, eco-excursions, social events, and more. REEF Fest registration is now open, and we hope you can join us! You can register for REEF Fest 2022 here. We have a spectacular lineup of seminar speakers joining us for REEF Fest 2022, including:
Introducing our June Fish of the Month, the Guineafowl Puffer (Arothron meleagris)!
We don't usually think of fish as noisy animals, however, many species of fish are able to produce a variety of sounds, including clicks, purrs, grunts, pops, and even deeper noises like booms. A recent paper published in the The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America looked at the sounds made by different grouper species, as part of the Grouper Moon Project.
We are excited to welcome Sierra Barkdoll to the REEF staff team as Citizen Science Coordinator. Sierra joined the staff in June 2022 after serving as a REEF Marine Conservation Intern (MCI) and Lead Intern over the past year and a half. In her new staff role, Sierra will work closely with Janna Nichols, REEF's Citizen Science Program Manager to support the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, REEF's cornerstone citizen science program.
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. A diverse community of divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts support our mission to conserve marine environments worldwide.
We have some great REEF Field Survey Trips coming up next year. You can check out the full schedule at www.REEF.org/trips. Here are some highlights:
The Conservation Challenge is a way to earn fun stickers for getting involved in marine conservation. Register for the REEF Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K to earn this month's featured Conservation Challenge sticker! The third annual Fish Out of Water 5K takes place June 6-12. REEF members worldwide will run, walk, bike, swim, and more - all to support healthy oceans. Visit www.REEF.org/5K to register today. When you sign up, you’ll choose to join one of five Fish Teams - Whale Shark, Manta Ray, Ocean Sunfish, Lionfish, or Nassau Grouper.
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up in the next several weeks: