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!
To celebrate this festive time of year, our December 2021 Fish of the Month is the Tinsel Squirrelfish (Neoniphon suborbitalis)!*
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.
It's hard to believe that it's already November. Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full swing. A traditional kick-off of the holidays is Giving Tuesday on November 30. After the bustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, Giving Tuesday is a day to give back to the community and causes you love. Would you mark your calendar now to celebrate with REEF on Giving Tuesday, November 30? Here are ten reasons to remember REEF on this annual day of giving:
One of our favorite ways to kick off the holiday season is by doing something meaningful for the planet. When you join a REEF Field Survey Trip, you have the opportunity to participate in the world's largest ocean citizen science effort, while learning more about marine life and making friends with others who share your passion. There are a few spaces available on our REEF Field Survey Trip to the Gardens of the Queen marine park in Cuba, coming up on Dec. 11-18.
Searching for holiday gifts for the diver, snorkeler, or ocean ethusiast in your life? Check out the new merch we recently added to the REEF online store, including:
We had such a blast hosting REEF Fest 2021 last month! Thank you to everyone who joined us in Key Largo for our annual marine conservation celebration. After a long stretch apart, we enjoyed being able to reconnect with our members and the Florida Keys community. We also appreciated everyone's efforts to ensure health and safety throughout the event.
REEF's online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what is coming up in the rest of the year:
Into the Blue Book Club Meeting
Thursday, November 11 at 8pm EST
Into the Blue Book Club brings together readers who love the ocean. At this meeting, we will be discussing our latest book selection, Ocean Outbreak by Drew Harvell. Drew is also attending the meeting for a Q&A!
Register here.