A new year is here, and plans are in the works for our annual REEF events:
REEF Fest 2022 - October 13-16 in Key Largo, Florida: Don't miss this four-day celebration of marine conservation! Events include diving, snorkeling, ocean-themed seminars, and socials. We are confirming details for this year's event. For now, please save the date and keep an eye on www.REEF.org/REEFfest for more information.
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up in the next several weeks:
Into the Blue Book Club Meeting
Thursday, January 13, 8pm EST
Click here to register.
We will be discussing Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone by Juli Berwald. Juli will be joining our virtual book club meeting for a Q&A session. Whether you have finished the book or not, all are welcome to attend.
Introducing the REEF Conservation Challenge: a brand new way to dive into citizen science, meet other fish enthusiasts, and have fun learning about ocean life and REEF programs. It's easy and free to participate. Earn exclusive, collective stickers by completing conservation-oriented challenges, like attending a Fishinar or conducting a REEF survey. This month, we’re highlighting the Volunteer Fish Survey Project challenge.
Discover marine conservation with a REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program – where learning is an adventure! Our programs inspire and engage participants in immersive, hands-on learning and exploration. Programs feature marine conservation, biology, ecology, citizen science, invasive species, and service learning. We offer programs for schools, scouts, families, teachers, travel groups, and colleges. REEF Ocean Explorers Education Programs include:
Meet our first Fish of the Month for 2022, the Black Brotula (Stygnobrotula latebricola)!
We are excited to welcome our Spring 2022 Marine Conservation Interns to REEF! As a part of our team, they will assist with Oceans Explorers Education Programs, outreach events like lionfish derbies, and daily operations around the REEF Campus. They are:
Together, we're building a brighter future for the oceans. Your support of REEF funds programs that use citizen science to protect marine life, conduct groundbreaking conservation science research, and engage and educate ocean stewards and communities. By working together, we can achieve meaningful solutions for conservation success. Our winter fundraising campaign is underway, and your year-end gift will help ensure that we can start off 2022 on a high note, ready to take action to advance ocean conservation worldwide.
Mark your calendars, fish enthusiasts! We're headed to the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent for a REEF Field Survey Trip on Feb. 5-12, 2022. There are just three spaces remaining on the trip, and those who love adding to their fish survey life list will not want to miss this one. Known as the muck diving capital of the Caribbean, St. Vincent is renowned in the dive community as a hotspot for rare, unique, and cryptic species.
As you make resolutions and plans for the year ahead, why not consider a goal that benefits not only you, but our planet as well? In early 2022, we're launching the Conservation Challenge, a new initiative to encourage REEF members to dive deeper into citizen science. The goals are to learn about marine life, gather scientific data, and connect with a community of ocean lovers as you complete various challenges that support REEF's marine conservation mission. Most of the challenges can be completed during any time of year, and we’ll choose one (or more!) challenges to highlight each month.
Looking for guidance on how to get started with the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP)? Check out the new REEF Surveyor Toolbox for tips, tricks, resources and materials. The page includes an overview of the VFSP and how to become a citizen scientist, the gear you need to get started surveying, and educational resources for each REEF survey region. Next time you're planning a dive trip to a new location, visit this page to see a list of field guides, survey papers, species reference lists, and more. Happy surveying!
