We are proud to share our completely revised e-newsletter, “Making It Count”. We have put more focus on how REEF members, partners, and the survey project database are making an impact in communities and marine conservation. We hope you enjoy the new format! Feel free to send us feedback. A special thanks to California REEF member Jackie Patay for designing the newsletter banner.
Greetings!
While fall used to be a slower time here at REEF, this year we are busier than ever. In addition to working with scientists to get them up-to-date species data and continuing to coordinate and expand the citizen science Fish Survey Project to new regions, the REEF staff is involved in a variety of marine conservation issues including the lionfish invasion in the Caribbean and associated waters and endangered species spawning aggregation research. This issue of REEF-in-Brief features updates from several of these programs.
Dear Valued REEF Members,
Greetings REEF Friends!
This month marks the Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC), REEF's annual event that celebrates our fish survey program. In this issue of REEF-in-Brief we highlight a few of the many GAFC events that were held by our partners throughout the month of July. New REEF staff, Alecia Adamson just returned from the Field Survey to Roatan and her report is below. We are also proud to announce that REEF has facilitated the donation of lionfish collection kits to 27 dive operators in the Florida Keys.
Happy Summer, REEF Friends. We are excited to bring you this month's issue of REEF-in-Brief. As we approach the half-way mark of our Summer Funraising Campaign, we are about 1/3 of the way towards our goal of raising $60,000. Thanks to all who have already contributed. If you haven't yet donated, please consider doing so today. Because of a generous offer from the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, your contribution (and your impact) with be doubled! Funds raised during this campaign will ensure that REEF is able to continue our valuable marine conservation programs.
With this edition of REEF-in-Brief, we are proud to introduce three new members of our staff team - Alecia, Sasha, and Janna. Their combined talents will help execute our successful citizen science programs and community outreach. Our dedicated staff and Board of Trustees, combined with the support of our volunteer surveyors and donors, ensure that REEF continues to be a highly effective, grass-roots marine conservation organization.
With summer just around the corner, things here at REEF are really getting busy. Our first Field Survey of the season just wrapped up (see the field report from Dominica below) and another group heads out next week to Belize. Many of our Field Survey trips are already full but there is still room in a few, including your chance to explore the reefs of Key Largo with Ned and Anna DeLoach. Check out the trip schedule here.
Welcome to another edition of our e-newsletter, REEF-in-Brief. I want to personally thank the over 600 REEF members who donated during our Fall/Winter campaign. Through your generous support, we raised over $75,000. Donations from individuals are critical to helping ensure that we can continue critical marine conservation work. If you haven't given yet, please consider a contribution to REEF today.