The Faces of REEF: John Smajdek

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.

This month we highlight John Smajdek, a REEF member from California. He is an active surveyor in the Pacific Coast of the US and Canada (PAC) region, where he has conducted nearly 400 surveys, including many at local southern California dive sites. Thank you John, for being a dedicated and enthusiastic REEF member! 

Fish of the Month: July 2023

Meet our July Fish of the Month, the Leopard Blenny, Exallias brevis!

A Summer of Learning with REEF Ocean Explorers Education Programs

Education is a core part of REEF's marine conservation mission. From elementary school classes to adult travel groups, we offer programs for all ages and backgrounds through the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program. Participants can join in both online and in person, and learn about topics like fish identification, citizen science, marine life behavior, invasive species, endangered species, sustainable fisheries, and Florida Keys ecology.

Sharkey's Rockin' the Dock Celebration

Join us for a fun afternoon and evening of drinks, food, friends, and lionfish during Sharkey's annual Rockin' the Dock celebration! Visit our REEF booth to learn all about lionfish and play fun games, and stick around as we announce the winners of our Florida Keys Lionfish Sweeps. We'll be giving away prizes to the contestants who removed the most invasive lionfish from Florida Keys waters between April 1-June 30.

Upcoming REEF Trips: Southern Baja, Grenada, and More

REEF Field Survey Trips are eco-vacations led by marine life experts. Each trip features daily dives and fish ID classes for both beginners and experienced surveyors. Divers, snorkelers, and families are all welcome. If you're looking for a trip this fall, there are still a few spaces remaining on our upcoming trip to the southern Sea of Cortez on Sept. 29-Oct. 6.

REEF Fest 2023: Get Your Ticket to 'For the Love of the Sea' Celebration Today!

REEF Fest 2023 is on Oct. 19-22 in Key Largo, Florida, and we hope you can join us! We have plenty of exciting activities planned, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, ocean seminars, and socials. A highlight of the weekend is the Saturday evening celebration, For the Love of the Sea. The event will take place on the evening of Oct. 21, at a beautiful waterfront location overlooking Florida Bay - the perfect backdrop for those beautiful Key Largo sunsets.

Online Programs: What's Coming Up in July-August 2023

REEF online programs are free and open to everyone! Here's what's coming up this month:

REEF Into the Blue Book Club Meeting
Thursday, July 13, 8pm EDT
Click here to register.
REEF Into the Blue Book Club brings together readers who love the ocean. At this meeting, we will discuss our latest book selection, Monarchs of the Sea, The Extraordinary 500-Million-Year History of Cephalopods by Danna Staaf.

REEF Welcomes Four New Members to the Golden Hamlet Club

The Golden Hamlet Club is a highly dedicated group of surveyors who have conducted 1,000 or more REEF surveys for the Volunteer Fish Survey Project. We are so pleased to welcome four new members: Kara Curry, Janet Camp, Ed Gullekson and Carol Cox. They join 36 other Golden Hamlet Club members.

NE GAFC: COJO Diving, New Brunswick, CA

Join COJO Diving Saturday, July 15, for REEF survey dives, fish ID classes, and social events in Greens Point, NB, Canada! 

To sign up and learn more, contact cojodiving@gmail.com.

 

TWA GAFC: Florida Keys Dive Center, Tavernier, FL

This Great Annual Fish Count, join REEF and Florida Keys Dive Center for a free fish ID class, followed by a REEF survey dive. 

Morning check-in for class at REEF Interpretive Center at 9:15am, break for lunch at 11am, and check-in for the survey dive at Florida Keys Dive Center at 12pm.

Class Location: REEF Interpretive Center, 98300 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037

Survey Dives Location: Florida Keys Dive Center, 90451 Old Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070.

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