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.
