Rosette Davila cares deeply about the health of the oceans. As a supporter of REEF programs both in the water and on land, Rosette wants to make a difference. That's why she recently became part of REEF's Legacy Society through a life estate gift. When asked why she chose REEF, Rosette described a long history of diving (since 1993), where she has become increasingly alarmed with the deterioration of our oceans. In 2015 Rosette joined REEF's Lad Akins and Peter Hughes on a REEF Invasive Lionfish Research Trip to The Bahamas.
REEF members are at the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Over 60,000 divers, snorkelers, students, and armchair naturalists stand behind our mission.
This month we highlight Gerald Winkel, member since 2009. Gerald has conducted 243 surveys. Gerald lives and dives in California and he is a Level 4 Expert surveyor in the PAC region. Gerald has represented REEF at many dive shows and festivals over the years and is an active REEF Fish ID instructor. Here's what Gerald had to say about REEF:
We are excited to announce that seven spaces have just opened up on the previously sold out trip with Ned and Anna DeLoach to the islands of Fernando de Noronha in Brazil, August 4-13, 2018. This will be an amazing opportunity to dive and experience these isolated islands with two of the most renowned individuals in the field. Don’t miss this chance: after years of leading several REEF Field Survey trips annually, including the very first Field Survey in the summer of 1993, this will officially be Ned and Anna’s last year as REEF Field Survey trip leaders.
On April 19th, nine Whole Foods Market stores across South Florida will be supporting ocean conservation. Stores in Coral Springs, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, and West Palm Beach will donate 5% of their total sales from the day to REEF, to support our South Florida conservation efforts. Whole Foods Markets® has been working with REEF to help develop the market for invasive lionfish and is this year's derby series title sponsor.
The following dates and locations have been set for REEF’s 2018 Lionfish Derby Series presented by Whole Foods Market®:
Explore the marine habitats of the Florida Keys and discover the amazing animals found beneath the waves during our 2018 camp session! REEF will offer three weeks of camp at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida. Camp will include snorkeling trips, kayak tours, beach games, and conservation activities. Please share the amazing opportunity to snorkel, kayak, and explore this summer with your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. REEF welcomes campers ages 7-13.
There has been much going on behind the scenes at REEF that has kept things humming for the past six years—and hum they have. REEF’s behind-the-scenes secret has been Martha Klitzkie, our steady, can-do Director of Operations. Regrettably, Martha, with her husband Ben and their children, will be relocating to Chicago this month, where Ben will be taking a new job.