REEF is proud to share that a generous grant from United Way of Collier and the Keys made it possible for free bus transportation for 300 students from Key Largo School to visit the REEF Ocean Exploration Center for hands-on educational field trips as part of REEF's Ocean For All program. Check out this highlight film!
Welcome to our quarterly REEF Campus update from Key Largo. This winter marked an exciting milestone for us: it was our first “snowbird season” with the new Ocean Exploration Center fully open, and the energy on campus has reflected it.
There is nothing better than escaping the cold winter months of January. Join REEF on our Field Survey Trip to Palau, January 17-27, 2027. A 10-night adventure aboard the Palau Aggressor II, timed perfectly with the full moon to witness the spectacular spawning of Red Snapper, Moorish Idols, and Orangespined Unicornfish. Following the Best of Palau itinerary, this trip promises world-class diving with incredible biodiversity. On our previous Palau REEF trip, we encountered rare marine life such as the elusive Blueback Pygmy Angelfish, Harlequin Grouper, and Helfrich’s Dartfish.
Our online programs are free and open to all! Check out what's coming up, and view the entire schedule of Fishinars and other online programs here.
Fishinar: Eastern Atlantic & Mediterranean Invertebrates and Algae, Pt. 2
Thursday, March 26, 8pm EDT
The 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for an exciting weekend of conservation, community, and creativity this April! This event combines hands-on invasive lionfish removal with local art, science, and education. Here’s a look into what to expect:
April 23 - Kick-off Party & Captain’s Meeting (5-7:30 PM)
As REEF continues to grow in scope and scale, our leadership must grow along with it. Last year, the Board of Trustees made the strategic decision to expand from nine to eleven members to better support our mission. We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Julia Parrish and Will Ribbens officially joined the Board on January 1, 2026.
Both Julia and Will bring a wealth of expertise, a passion for citizen science, and a deep-rooted love for the marine environment. Please join us in welcoming them to the REEF family!
Dr. Julia Parrish
In 2026, the Grouper Moon Project entered its 24th year, marking more than two decades as the Caribbean’s longest-running continuous research program focused on Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus, spawning aggregations. Led by REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE), in collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and Oregon State University, the project has become one of the most advanced, multi-faceted tropical fisheries research efforts in the world.