REEF's in-person programming is on hold until further notice, but there are still ways you can stay engaged in marine conservation from home.
Located on St. Lucia's southwestern coast, Anse Chastanet has beautiful views of the ocean and the Pitons, two peaks rising up from the sea. The entire region is a protected marine area and excellent, easily accessible beach diving is available directly in front of the resort. When not diving or snorkeling, guests can enjoy sea kayaking, jungle biking, yoga and sailing. Anse Chastanet is an environmentally-conscious, luxury resort with plenty of amenities and delicious food, making it a great destination for divers, snorkelers, and non-diving companions.
Escape the hectic holidays with a fun dive vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is one of the few locations in the Caribbean that is known to have a healthy Nassau Grouper population, and because this trip falls right after the full moon, you may even see grouper migrating to spawning sites, or get to view them in their breeding colors! The Turks and Caicos Islands are also known to have resident Reef Sharks, frequently sighted on numerous dive locations. In addition, many other fish finds await discovery on the walls and reefs throughout the islands.
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.
KEY LARGO, FLA. – REEF was recently awarded a $3,900 grant from Ocean Reef Community Foundation (ORCF) to fund Nature Days, an educational program for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Organized in partnership with the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter (FKCS) and Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, Nature Days will give children ages 11-17 from Key Largo, Homestead, and Florida City the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities like kayaking and snorkeling, while learning about nature and ocean life.
We are thrilled to share that we have reached our 2019 summer matching goal - to raise $70,000 to support REEF's citizen science, education, and research programs! So many REEF members stepped up to show their support for marine conservation, and we are so appreciative of your outstanding efforts. From all of us at REEF, thank you to everyone who contributed to our summer fundraising campaign, and a special thank you to the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Henry Foundation, and The Meyer Foundation who generously matched these gifts.
We’re excited to introduce our Spring 2020 Marine Conservation Interns. These individuals will support the REEF team in mission-oriented tasks and daily office operations at REEF Headquarters, as well as play an integral role in many education and outreach opportunities, including the first Lionfish Derby of the year. This semester’s interns bring a unique set of skills and interests to REEF. They include:
We are excited to welcome Carolyn Corley to the REEF staff team as an Education Coordinator. You may recognize Carolyn, as she served as a REEF Marine Conservation Fellow for Education & Outreach from August 2023 to June 2024. During the summer of 2023, she participated in the REEF Marine Conservation Internship program as the 2023 Dr. Jamie L. King REEF Marine Conservation Intern through Our World Underwater Scholarship Society. Carolyn graduated in May 2023 from the University of San Diego with a B.S.
This month, REEF members worldwide are invited to participate in our first underwater photography contest! Members may submit one photo in each of six different categories including fish portrait, macro, invertebrates, REEF surveyor, lionfish/invasive species, and reefscape/habitat/environment. Submissions will be judged by three separate panels including professional photographers, REEF staff and board, and popular vote. Each judging panel will select a winning photo from each of the six categories, for a total of 18 winning photographs.