REEF is proud to highlight one of our outstanding Conservation Partners: Island Ventures in Key Largo. REEF Conservation Partners are active organizations and dive shops committed to protecting marine environments worldwide. As valued REEF ambassadors, they serve as centers for marine conservation actions, outreach, and education. You can view the full listing of Conservation Partners or register your organization as a REEF Conservation Partner here.
Introducing our April 2021 Fish of the Month, the Cherubfish (Centropyge argi)!
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up over the next several weeks:
Fishy Hour: Fishy Game Night
Wednesday, April 7 at 8PM EDT
Join our Spring 2021 Marine Conservation Interns for a trivia-esque game night, featuring marine conservation and ocean facts plus Tropical Western Atlantic fish ID.
Register here.
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.
This month we highlight REEF member Mary Adams, who lives in Maryland. She enjoys attending REEF Trips and has conducted more than 100 surveys. She is a Level 3 surveyor in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA) survey region. We look forward to seeing more surveys from Mary in the future, and are glad that she's part of REEF!
KEY LARGO, FLA. – Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) will kick off the 2021 Lionfish Derby Series with a socially distant Earth Day Lionfish Derby on Friday, April 23 through Sunday, April 25.
With 15,000 tube feet and up to 24 arms, the world's largest and fastest sea star species, the Sunflower Sea Star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, is found from Baja Mexico to Alaska. Over the last seven years, this magnificent species has suffered a dramatic decline due to a wasting disease. Many fear that the species may be on the brink of extinction. To quantify the decline and possibly establish grounds for protections and intervention, REEF joined in a partnership of more than 60 institutions led by The Nature Conservancy and Oregon State University.
This derby is organized by the Rotary Club of Central Tortola.
Organizer Contact Info: brian.rotary@outlook.com
This event is a REEF Sanctioned Lionfish Derby. Click here for more information about REEF Sanctioned Lionfish Derbies.
Create your own ocean-inspired painting while enjoying a beverage at a beautiful oceanside venue. No prior experience needed is needed; local artist Brittany Parker will provide step by step guidance to help you create the Spotted Eagle Ray painting shown above!
$45 per person includes all painting supplies and a beverage ticket. All proceeds benefit REEF's marine conservation programs.
The 2022 REEF Field Survey Trips schedule is available! 2022 REEF Trip destinations include Roatan, Bonaire, St. Lucia, and more. Other highlights are a liveaboard trip to Kona, Hawaii, our annual trip to Cozumel, and a trip to the muck diving capital of the Caribbean, St. Vincent. For those who like to plan ahead, there is also a sneak peek at what's in store for 2023. Looking to travel later this year? We have a few trips on the schedule with space in 2021, including Gardens of the Queen in Cuba, St. Croix, The Bahamas, and Cayman Brac. Start dusting off your scuba and snorkel gear!