Last month, the Grouper Moon Project - a highly successful conservation science collaboration between REEF and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment - wrapped up its 18th year of work in Little Cayman. Because all of the field work takes place during a few weeks around the winter full moons when the Nassau Grouper aggregate to spawn, the team prepares all year to ensure success for the big event. As we reported in last month’s e-News, because of this year's moon calendar, we sent research teams to Little Cayman in both January and February.
Looking to take a citizen science dive trip in 2019? There are still spaces remaining on some REEF Field Survey Trips this year. Marine life enthusiasts are invited to join us for a vacation filled with diving, ocean education, and fun. For more information on any of the trips below, visit www.REEF.org/trips or contact trips@REEF.org.
As an environmental leader in our Florida Keys community, we are excited to share that REEF is taking a big step toward sustainability by making improvements to our Headquarters in Key Largo. You can help us reduce our carbon footprint by making a one-time, tax-deductible donation to support renewable energy.
You can contribute to REEF's conservation and education efforts while shopping for everyday items, through our newly launched Shop to Support program. By partnering with companies who care about the marine environment, we are able to spend more time on programs and less time fundraising! We sincerely appreciate the generous support of these partners.
Fishinars are REEF's brand of fun, live, interactive webinars and anyone who wants to know more about ocean life is welcome to join. REEF’s upcoming schedule includes tools to help you build your fish identification skills, and a look into REEF’s newest project region – the Indian Ocean & Red Sea! Below are our upcoming sessions:
This month, REEF is proud to highlight one of our outstanding Conservation Partners: Scuba Center in Eagan, Minnesota. REEF Conservation Partners are active organizations and dive shops dedicated to protecting marine environments. As valued REEF ambassadors, they teach fish ID classes, host survey dives, organize volunteer events and more. Read on to find out how you can get involved with these centers of conservation action!
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.
There's still time left to contribute to our winter fundraising campaign! As a special gift to donors who give at least $250, we will send you a limited-edition print of a Golden Hamlet (pictured), photographed in the Cayman Islands by REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann. We are so grateful to those who have already supported us this winter. Your generosity makes everything we do possible! To donate now, visit www.REEF.org/donate.
In July 2018, REEF celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. This REEF program is widely considered to be one of the most impactful citizen science initiatives of its kind. With over 11 million data records from 14,000+ locations worldwide, it is the largest marine fish sightings database. The survey data have been used in a wide array of scientific studies, and serve an important source of information for government agencies charged with protecting ocean resources. As a REEF member, you make this monumental citizen science program possible!
To date, more than five million videos featuring the Florida Reef have been posted to YouTube. The most popular garner more than a half million views, making anyone who has the will to go diving a potential documentarian with the tools to make issues come alive for a global audience. These unscripted stories represent who we are, what we think, and what we choose to share with the world.