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REEF Fish & Friends is a free seminar series held in the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo, Florida. Each event features engaging ocean-themed presentations from guest speakers. Snorkelers, divers, and marine life enthusiasts are invited to join informal discussions and mingle with members of our friendly, ocean-minded community. Complimentary light refreshments are provided. The evening kicks off with a social from 6:15-7pm, followed by a presentation from 7-8pm. Seminars are also live-streamed on the REEF Facebook page and YouTube channel. REEF Fish & Friends is made possible by the generous support of our members. For information on how to get involved, email mead@REEF.org.
If you want to be notified about our community events such as Fish & Friends, sign up to receive the monthly REEF Campus and Keys Community newsletter here.
2026 Schedule (see archive for full listing of speakers and links to recordings)
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January 13, 2026: Be the Predator: Clean Lionfish Off our Reefs Tim Robinson has participated in and consulted in many tournaments over the years including educating the community ensuring that for generations to come, our oceans remain a beautiful, thriving paradise. Join us for an evening learning all about the lionfish invasion in the Atlantic, as well as safe, responsible culling techniques, proper venomous spine handling, first-aid and critical do’s and don’ts.
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February 10, 2026: Hogfish Ecology in the Dry Tortugas Coral reefs are among the most vibrant and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, but they are increasingly threatened by human activity. While an large number of companies are labeling their sunscreens as "reef safe", they are doing so without thoroughly testing the ingredients for their effects on coral reefs and marine life. In this presentation, Autumn will explain why Stream2Sea has chosen the term "reef safer" and is leading the way towards a higher stander of transparency and accountability in the sunscreen and body care industries. |
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March 10, 2026: Speaker information coming soon! |
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April 14, 2026: Everglades Restoration: Building Resilience from the Headwaters to the Florida Keys As The Everglades Foundation’s Ecosystem and Resilience Scientist, Meenakshi merges advanced knowledge of Everglades ecosystem science, ecosystem services valuation, and resilience planning for the natural and built environment in South Florida. She applies that knowledge to tracking and understanding how decision-making focused on the Everglades and our communities affects ecological and economic outcomes across the ecosystem. Meenakshi’s research has contributed to the fields of economic decision making in risk management, valuation of ecosystem services in policy making, and on the inclusion of sustainability, economic efficiency, and social equity in resilience planning for climate change. |
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May 12, 2026: Speaker Information Coming Soon!
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June 9, 2026: Outdoor Education's Impact on Ocean Conservation Education is powerful. Rachel Carrier has witnessed first hand the impact of MarineLab's experiential education programs on the thousands of students who visit each year. Over time, MarineLab has collected stories, data and teacher insight on how student's experiences out of the classroom have changed the trajectory of their futures, creating paths that directly impact our environment. Join in to learn how specifically outdoor education can be a powerful tool to combat the treats our oceans face. |
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July 14, 2026: Speaker Information Coming Soon! |
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August 11, 2026: Skies to Seas: Rescuing Birds in the Florida Keys Erin is a South Florida native and made Key Largo her full-time home at the age of 15. She earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida International University, specializing in Education, Team Management, and Biodiversity Conservation. During her undergraduate years, Erin served as the Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. She later moved to West Virginia to pursue a Master of Science in Biology at West Liberty University, where she spent three years conducting research on freshwater crayfish and reptiles. After braving several northern winters, Erin was thrilled to return to the warm, subtropical climate of the Florida Keys with her Australian Cattle Dog. Erin is a published author in a scientific journal, a proud graduate of Leadership Monroe County Class XXXII, and a dedicated leader of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, where she combines her passions for education, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. |
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September 8, 2026: Speaker Information Coming Soon!
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November 10, 2026: Artificial Reefs in the Florida Keys Dr. Koch’s work involves working closely with officials at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which protects more than 2,800 square miles of water surrounding the 125-mile-long island chain. This partnership and oversight benefit the Keys’ fragile marine ecosystems. Join us to learn more about Dr. Koch’s impact on building the artificial reefs program in the Florida Keys! |