We are now accepting registrations for our Invasive Lionfish Trip aboard the Belize Aggressor III on June 8-15, 2019. This trip will be led by Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., and Education Program Manager, Ellie Splain. This Invasive Lionfish Trip is part of REEF’s ongoing effort to monitor the establishment and consequences of invasive lionfish on native fish populations and reef ecosystems.
Although our 2018 Summer Lionfish Derby Series has come to a close, REEF is continuing invasive lionfish education and removal efforts through Collecting and Handling Workshops throughout southern Florida. The goal of the workshops is to educate the public about the invasive lionfish, as well as practice safe removal methods and provide participants with permits issued by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for removal of lionfish in the Sanctuary Preservation Areas using hand nets only.
This holiday season, we are reflecting on the beginnings of REEF. Our mission to conserve marine environments began 25 years ago in the Florida Keys, when a small group of pioneering divers and conservationists took a slate on a dive and started REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project, a program that would eventually become the largest marine life sightings database in the world. Since then, our work has grown to include endangered and invasive species work, as well as education and outreach. None of this would be possible without you, our members.
We are excited to announce the 2019 REEF calendar, featuring stunning full-color marine life photographs from our most important asset, our members. The 2019 calendar is a special tribute to the impact our citizen science volunteers have had on marine conservation. Each month highlights an individual who has contributed to the Volunteer Fish Survey Project for 20 or more years! The calendar is also a great way to keep up with REEF events throughout the year, such as Field Survey Trips, Fishinars, and REEF Fest!
REEF is happy to announce that the 2019 Fishinar schedule is posted and ready for registrations!
Fishinars are fun, free online marine life identification sessions that cover topics from all of REEF’s world-wide project areas. These hour-long interactive sessions are great for beginning and advanced surveyors alike, and all are welcome whether you avidly survey, want to get started, or just want to learn more about marine life.
Over nearly three decades, REEF has welcomed more than 100 individuals to REEF Headquarters to spend a semester immersed in the marine conservation field. This month, we highlight past intern Alexis Balinski. Read on to hear about Alexis's time at REEF, and how her internship helped her get where she is now.
When were you a Marine Conservation Intern?
I interned during the summer of 2013.
This is the time of year when many people traditionally give to the causes they care most about, and use tax deductions to offset the costs of donating. As you consider your end of year giving, we wanted to share with you some opportunities that may provide you with the ability to deduct or increase your deductions this year, as the tax laws recently changed with the Tax Cut Jobs Act of 2017.
REEF members are the heart of our grassroots marine conservation programs. Divers, snorkelers, and ocean enthusiasts worldwide stand behind our mission.
As the holiday season approaches, we are preparing to kick off our annual winter fundraising campaign. Please keep REEF in mind as you think about your year-end giving. We rely on donors like you to support our conservation work, and our successes and impact are tied directly to you, our members. Donors who give at least $250 during the winter solicitation receive a limited-edition, signed and numbered print, photographed by our co-founder, Paul Humann. Each year, we carefully choose a new photo from Paul's personal underwater photography library.
The end of the year is fast approaching, but there's still time to take a dive trip in 2018! Space is very limited on our remaining 2018 trips - in fact, there are only two spaces remaining on next month's trip to the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Caribbean Explorer II liveaboard. Beginning in St. Kitts on Dec. 1 and ending in St. Maarten on Dec. 8, this trip includes plenty of diving around the islands of the northeastern Caribbean.