Hello and Happy April!
KEY LARGO, Fla. – The Cayman Islands government and REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, today announced the start of a three-year research collaboration to study and validate efforts aimed at protecting Nassau grouper, an imperiled Caribbean reef fish.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! We show our "green" spirit here at REEF by continuing important conservation initiatives. In this edition, learn about REEF's participation in the 54th annual Boston Sea Rovers international underwater clinic, a visit with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and a citizen science discussion series recently hosted by REEF in the Florida Keys. Two valuable REEF members learn bi-coastal fish ID and there is one spot left on the Turks and Caicos field survey next month. Last chance to sign up for this amazing conservation diving opportunity!
On Tuesday, March 4, REEF was pleased to host Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen at its headquarters in Key Largo, Florida. Ros-Lehtinen represents Florida’s 18th district, including Monroe County and the Florida Keys. REEF Board and staff discussed the importance of training volunteers in marine conservation to preserving the long-term health of coral reefs in the Florida Keys and worldwide.
KEY LARGO, Fla. – REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, last week hosted Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen at its headquarters in Key Largo, Florida. Ros-Lehtinen represents Florida’s 18th district, including Monroe County and the Florida Keys. REEF Board and staff discussed the importance of training volunteers in marine conservation to preserving the long-term health of coral reefs in the Florida Keys and worldwide.
REEF to Give Public Talk on Exotic Invasive Lionfish
WHAT:
REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, will host a free educational presentation and discussion about the recent invasion of Atlantic waters by Indo-Pacific lionfish. Though no confirmed sightings have been made in the Florida Keys, the fish have become established along the U.S. east coast, Bahamas and Bermuda and are moving rapidly throughout the Caribbean.
WHAT:
REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, will host a free educational presentation and discussion about the recent invasion of Atlantic waters by Indo-Pacific lionfish. Though no confirmed sightings have been made in the Florida Keys, the fish have become established along the U.S. east coast, Bahamas and Bermuda and are moving rapidly throughout the Caribbean.
KEY LARGO, Fla. – REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, today released a report on its biological monitoring of the U.S.S. Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy ship sunk off Key Largo, Florida in June, 2002. Since the sinking, 191 fish species have been documented on the wreck, which has become home to fish not previously documented on this site, including species rarely found elsewhere in the Keys, such as blackcap basslet and blackfin snapper. Goliath and Nassau grouper, both protected species, were documented on the Spiegel Grove.
KEY LARGO, Fla. – REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, raised $25,000 for coral reef conservation at the first annual “For the Love of the Sea” dinner and auction. Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach, co-founders of REEF and authors of the popular Reef Identification series, spoke about the importance of the REEF in training divers and snorkelers to help with conservation. Community businesses, conservationists and concerned individuals attended the event, which was held at Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo, Florida.
WHAT:
On Wednesday, March 12, REEF will host a community panel discussion to raise awareness about how volunteers contribute to scientific understanding of the environment. Rick Bonney of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York will lead the discussion. Florida Keys-based citizen science experts will present on local projects and ways for volunteers to get involved.