We are excited to announce the REEF Ocean Ambassador Program, designed to support dedicated REEF members who actively engage and inspire others to become involved with REEF’s citizen science programs. REEF provides Ambassadors with resources to aid in their involvement, and these individuals make a lasting impact by connecting people in their communities to ocean conservation.
Throughout this year, several active members have been working behind the scenes to help us develop the REEF Ocean Ambassador program, including Curtis Johnson in Washington, Alice and Will Ribbens in Minnesota, and Meredyth and John Nelson in Virginia. Curtis has shared REEF data through presentations for local groups in the Pacific Northwest, including Deception Pass Beach Naturalists and Seattle Surfriders. Through these presentations, Curtis helps to raise awareness about the power of the REEF database while encouraging others, in particular scientific community, to use REEF data. Meanwhile, Alice and Will Ribbens organize “Fish Nights” at their local dive shop, Scuba Center. They conduct REEF surveys on their dive trips, and love to spread the word about fishwatching to fellow divers. Alice and Will have helped engage many new REEF members, in their home state of Minnesota and beyond. REEF Ambassadors Meredyth and John Nelson share presentations REEF and fish ID. They also enjoy organizing games like FISH-O (fish ID-themed bingo) for the Richmond Dive Club and Charlottesville Dive Club. When they travel on dive trips, they love sharing info about REEF with others.
We are excited to continue developing the REEF Ocean Ambassadors Program, and share more updates from our Ocean Ambassadors! If you are interested in making a difference as a REEF Ocean Ambassador, please visit this page to learn more and apply.