Welcome to the Citizen Science Corner, our quarterly feature to celebrate those who recently reached a milestone in our Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Here are achievements from October, November and December 2025.
Golden Hamlet Award
Congratulations to Marta Zahalak who has completed 1000+ REEF Surveys!
Juvenile Hamlet Award
The Juvenile Hamlet Award is for individuals who have conducted 500+ REEF surveys. Congratulations to our latest Juvenile Hamlet Club members:
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.
Welcome to our quarterly REEF Campus update, featuring a seasonal snapshot of what’s happening at the Ocean Exploration Center and REEF Campus in Key Largo. As the year winds down, we're reflecting on the incredible impact the Ocean Exploration Center has made in its first year - welcoming new audiences, expanding programs, and deepening our connection to the community through this mission-driven space.
We're headed to the southern Caribbean island of Tobago next summer, and you're invited to join us! Tobago is home to some of the healthiest reefs in the Tropical Western Atlantic, and nutrient-rich waters carried from Venezuela’s Orinoco River fuel this region, drawing in an impressive diversity of fish.
You can give the gift of healthy oceans by supporting REEF with a donation this winter. Your generosity helps us protect marine habitats and species, educate and inspire people of all ages, and safeguard marine biodiversity around the world. We’re so thankful to everyone who has already contributed to this winter’s campaign. We had an outpouring of support on GivingTuesday, but we still need to raise $44,200 in donations before the end of the year to be on track for the new year. If you haven’t yet made your gift, we hope you’ll consider donating today.
With the recent opening of the Ocean Exploration Center at the REEF Campus in the Florida Keys, our in-person and virtual Explorers Education programming is seeing tremendous growth in the number and types of groups we can serve. As these programs grow, it’s important to keep our lessons aligned with current educational standards and emerging trends. To support our educators in curriculum design, REEF partners with our Education Advisory Panel (EAP), a group committed to bringing fresh ideas and thoughtful guidance to our programs.
We are thrilled to recognize Jane Bixby as our 2025 Volunteer of the Year! Jane joined REEF in 2008 and almost immediately started volunteering in the Key Largo office. Newly retired from the Miami Police Department, she quickly became an essential part of the team. She assisted with a variety of tasks, including processing REEF survey scan forms, fulfilling store orders, sorting incoming mail, and helping the office run smoothly. Her willingness to jump in to assist however she could set the tone for an amazing volunteer legacy that continues today.
Introducing our December Fish of the Month, the Decorated Warbonnet, Chirolophis decoratus!
Survey Regions: Decorated Warbonnets are found in the north Pacific, from Russia to Alaska and down the coast of California, part of REEF's PAC survey region. Click here to see a REEF database report for this species.
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.
Mark your calendars: GivingTuesday is coming up on December 2! This global day of generosity is the perfect opportunity to show your support for REEF’s marine conservation and education programs.
This year, your gift will make double the impact. GivingTuesday contributions are being matched dollar for dollar, up to $40,000. Your support helps advance vital conservation science, ocean education, and community engagement that protect our oceans for future generations.
