Thanks for your interest in the 2019 Pompano Beach Lionfish Derby, organized by Shipwreck Park Pompano Beach.
This month, we are saying farewell and best wishes to Bonnie Barnes, who served as Development Manager since April 2017. Bonnie has accepted a position as Executive Director of the Deering Estate Foundation in Miami.
Join marine life author and Pacific Northwest identification expert Greg Jensen, for a presentation titled, "Through the Looking-Glass: Pacific Northwest Look-alikes." This presentation will focus on advanced Pacific Northwest invertebrate identification, and all are welcome! Light refreshments will be available.
The class will be held from 7pm to 9pm at the Snack Shack in Saltwater State Park. A Washington State Discovery Pass is required for entry to Saltwater State Park, or you can buy a day pass at the park for $10.
Join Friends of Saltwater State Park, a REEF Conservation Partner, for a Great Annual Fish Count event at Saltwater State Park in Washington State. Join fish and invertebrate identification presentations that will cover how to find and identify common species in the Pacific Northwest. Everyone is welcome, whether you are a marine-life enthusiast, underwater photographer, a beginning surveyor wanting to achieve REEF PNW Experience Level 2, or if you just want a refresher.
Spaces still remain on some REEF Field Survey Trips this year, and we are now accepting registrations for 2020 REEF Trips as well! Join us for a vacation filled with diving, educational fish ID lessons, and fun with friends. We have a few spots open on these upcoming trips:
In honor of the upcoming Summer Lionfish Derby Series, we are spotlighting several Conservation Partners who go above and beyond in their support of our lionfish work. Thank you to Forever Young Charter Company, Juliet Sailing and Diving, Sea Experience, ZooKeeper, and Johnny Leuthold for sponsoring our 2019 Lionfish Derby Series as REEF Conservation Partners!
Immerse your child into an ocean of learning and fun this summer! Open to campers ages 8-13, each week-long session of Ocean Explorers Camp includes coral reef snorkeling trips, kayak ventures through winding mangrove trails, a glass bottom boat ride, arts and crafts, hands-on marine science lessons, and a dolphin interaction and touch tank program! Camp is hosted Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Island Dolphin Care, both located in Key Largo, FL. 2019 Ocean Explorers Summer Camp dates include June 24-28, July 15-19, and July 29-Aug. 2.
The Volunteer Fish Survey Project is REEF’s cornerstone citizen science program, and was the foundation of the organization’s inception. The goal of the program is to enlist divers and snorkelers to report fishes they see during their time in the water; documenting status and trends much in the way birdwatchers do for birds. The first REEF surveys were conducted in 1993 by a few dozen volunteers in the waters off Key Largo, Florida. The program has grown significantly, with more than 16,000 volunteers participating and 230,000 REEF surveys conducted at sites around the world.
We’re excited to introduce our Summer 2019 Marine Conservation Interns. These individuals will support the REEF team in mission-oriented tasks and daily office operations at REEF Headquarters, as well as play an integral role in our Lionfish Derby Series, Ocean Explorers Summer Camp, and other education and outreach events taking place this summer. They will also have opportunities to scuba dive, conduct fish surveys, and volunteer with environmental organizations in South Florida and the Florida Keys. This semester’s interns bring a unique set of skills and interests to REEF.