REEF is happy to announce that the 2019 Fishinar schedule is posted and ready for registrations!
Fishinars are fun, free online marine life identification sessions that cover topics from all of REEF’s world-wide project areas. These hour-long interactive sessions are great for beginning and advanced surveyors alike, and all are welcome whether you avidly survey, want to get started, or just want to learn more about marine life.
Over nearly three decades, REEF has welcomed more than 100 individuals to REEF Headquarters to spend a semester immersed in the marine conservation field. This month, we highlight past intern Alexis Balinski. Read on to hear about Alexis's time at REEF, and how her internship helped her get where she is now.
When were you a Marine Conservation Intern?
I interned during the summer of 2013.
This is the time of year when many people traditionally give to the causes they care most about, and use tax deductions to offset the costs of donating. As you consider your end of year giving, we wanted to share with you some opportunities that may provide you with the ability to deduct or increase your deductions this year, as the tax laws recently changed with the Tax Cut Jobs Act of 2017.
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts worldwide stand behind our mission.
When we think about climate change, habitat destruction, and the many other challenges our oceans are currently facing, it’s easy to question how to make an impact. The answer is that together we can make a positive difference. For 25 years, REEF has worked to protect biodiversity and ocean life, through citizen science, education, and partnerships with the scientific community. REEF is regarded as one of the most effective and efficient marine data collection and conservation organizations in the world.
On October 2-4, REEF’s Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Dr. Alli Candelmo, and Environmental Leadership Intern, Sophie Costa, joined regional researchers, invasive species managers, divers, and ocean conservationists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission 2018 Lionfish Summit. The summit addressed three main themes: Policy & Regulation, Control Efforts/Research & Monitoring and Education & Outreach. Alli presented as an invited speaker on the trends of ten years of REEF lionfish derbies and lionfish movement patterns and the application to improving removal efforts.
September was an exciting month for members of the Pacific Northwest REEF Advanced Assessment Team (AAT), led by REEF's Citizen Science Program Manager Janna Nichols. This group of expert level surveyors (Levels 4 and 5) helped with the ongoing monitoring project done in partnership with UC Davis' SeaDoc Society in Washington's San Juan Islands.
There are many ways you can choose to support REEF, through a generous monetary donation, attending one of our events, or shopping to support REEF. As you look forward to the upcoming holidays, make sure you check out our online store. We have many new products, including trendy sustainable items like tie-dye Silipints and metal straws, plus all of your favorite REEF gear, ID guidebooks, and REEF surveying supplies. Stay tuned for our holiday packages, where you will be sure to find a gift for anyone.
As the holiday season approaches, we are preparing to kick off our annual winter fundraising campaign. Please keep REEF in mind as you think about your year-end giving. We rely on donors like you to support our conservation work, and our successes and impact are tied directly to you, our members. Donors who give at least $250 during the winter solicitation receive a limited-edition, signed and numbered print, photographed by our co-founder, Paul Humann. Each year, we carefully choose a new photo from Paul's personal underwater photography library.
The end of the year is fast approaching, but there's still time to take a dive trip in 2018! Space is very limited on our remaining 2018 trips - in fact, there are only two spaces remaining on next month's trip to the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard. Beginning in St. Kitts on Dec. 1 and ending in St. Maarten on Dec. 8, this trip includes plenty of diving around the islands of the northeastern Caribbean.
