As climate change and tropical storms have increasingly drastic impacts on our blue planet, the marine conservation work we do at REEF is more important now than ever. The future of our ocean depends on each of us.

As another amazing year draws to a close, we are reaching out to our valued members to contribute financially. REEF is a member-driven organization that is focused on the conservation of our world's ocean environments. The key to our 20-year success story is a close partnership between our volunteers, contributors, and staff, who share both an affinity for marine wildlife and a commitment to its sustainability. As never before, we are counting on your tax-deductible financial support, which is the cornerstone of our grass-roots efforts to protect the marine environment.

Flushing your pet tropical fish in order to set it free is a bad idea. But so is releasing it into the wild.

Education is typically thought of as taking place in a classroom, but through the REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program, learning can happen in unexpected places - like music festivals, craft breweries, and art classes! As a Marine Conservation Intern last fall, and in my current role as Education & Outreach Fellow, I have many opportunities to participate in public education, community outreach, and events. Community outreach is important for REEF because it enables us to connect with a wide range of audiences, including different age groups, backgrounds, and interests.

REEF proudly awards our 2010 Volunteer(s) of the Year award to Donna Brown and Liz Foote. Donna and Liz both live on Maui in Hawaii, where they have been active in REEF since 2001 when we expanded the Fish Survey Project to the Hawaiian Islands. Donna has been a REEF member since 1994 and Liz since 1999. Both are members of the Hawaiian Islands Advanced Assessment Team and collectively have conducted 361 surveys. Donna and Liz were instrumental during the expansion to Hawaii.

The health of our oceans impacts us all, and now more than ever, it is important to take action. We know you care about this cause, and that is why we are asking you to support REEF with your year-end gift so that we can continue to make a difference. So many of you gave earlier this week on Giving Tuesday. Thank you! If you haven't yet donated, please consider making a tax-deductible gift today.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to experience a REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program? Students, travel programs, or other groups can join us at the REEF Campus in Key Largo to learn all about the ocean, marine life, conservation, and how to make a difference! Read on to see what a day with REEF might be like for a 16-year old student visiting the Florida Keys to participate in a REEF Ocean Explorers Education Program:

We're a little over a week away from REEF Fest 2021, and if you haven't yet made plans to attend, there is still time to register to join us in Key Largo! REEF Fest will take place October 14-17 and includes ocean seminars and educational workshops, evening social events with food and drink, and opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Most REEF Fest events are free to attend, but pre-registration is requested. For complete event details and registration, please visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest.

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.

We recently welcomed our Fall 2020 Marine Conservation Interns to the REEF Campus! During the next four months, they will support the REEF team by assisting with our marine conservation programs and non-profit operations. This semester’s interns bring a unique set of skills and interests to REEF. They include:

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