Reef Environmental Education Foundation

Tis the season for ocean conservation!🎄🦁 Join us next Tuesday, Nov. 12 for a festive Lionfish Jewelry & Holiday Ornament Workshop at the REEF Campus in Key Largo! Create the perfect holiday gift by turning invasive lionfish fins into beautiful, unique jewelry or holiday ornaments, while learning about the lionfish invasion and how to make a difference. 🌊 For $35, you can craft two of your own holiday ornaments or jewelry pieces! There are just a few spaces left, so register today at www.REEF.org/events.

Today, REEF Research Associate Dr. Jen Loch is presenting at the 77th Annual Gulf & Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) conference, sharing insights on a new and exciting citizen science project in marine conservation! Jen’s talk, titled "Fisheries Science to ‘SMILE’ about: using camera-equipped citizen scientists to estimate fish lengths in situ," showcases the innovative SMILE project (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimates). The SMILE project harnesses the power of citizen science, using underwater cameras mounted with lasers to capture images and estimate fish lengths. These data will supply important information to fisheries managers and stock assessment scientists. 🐟 Read more about the SMILE project and how volunteer divers can make a difference in marine conservation by visiting www.REEF.org/smile-project 📸: Tom Sparke

The fish survey data from our REEF Field Survey Trip to Bonaire are in! 📝 During a weeklong trip this summer, our intrepid group of REEF surveyors conducted 182 surveys, reported 200 species, and logged more than 189 hours underwater as citizen scientists! 🐠 These data are now a part of REEF's publicly accessible marine life database, which is an important resource for scientific research and marine conservation efforts. You can view the batch report from this trip here: https://lnkd.in/e44iRTHe. Thank you to our friends at Buddy Dive for hosting us, and our dedicated REEF volunteers for being part of this trip!

Calling all educators! 🍎📓 We are accepting applications for the 2025 REEF Educator in the Field Fellowship! This unique opportunity is a great way for formal and informal educators to expand their knowledge of marine life and citizen science. The 2025 Fellowship recipient will join the REEF Field Survey Trip to Roatan on June 28- July 5, 2025, and will be given a travel reimbursement of up to $1,200. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Applications close Jan 5, 2025. To read more and apply, visit https://lnkd.in/euGiGq_Q

Our final Into the Blue Book Club meeting of 2024 is coming up in just two weeks! 📚 Join us for our next virtual meeting on November 14 at 8pm ET as we discuss "The Extreme Life of the Sea" by Stephen and Anthony R. Palumbi. This thrilling read plunges into the mysteries of the ocean, showcasing creatures that thrive against all odds in the harshest environments on Earth, from the icy Arctic to scorching hydrothermal vents. ❄️🔥 All are welcome to join, regardless of whether you've read the book! For more information and to register visit www.REEF.org/bookclub.

The holiday season is approaching, and soon it will be time to deck the halls - with lionfish! 🎄✨ Join us for a Lionfish Jewelry and Holiday Ornament Workshop, you can use invasive lionfish fins to create own very own holiday ornaments and jewelry, while learning about invasive species and conservation. 🌊 Here are all the details: 🗓️ Tuesday, November 12 ⏰ 6-8pm 📍REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up soon! The cost to participate is $35/person and includes all jewelry/ornament materials, instruction, a souvenir wine/pint glass, and light refreshments. For more info or to register, visit www.REEF.org/events. 🎁🦁🐠🎄

Happy Halloween! We hope your day is filled with spooky fun and lumpy pumpkins! 🎃🦇

We had an amazing time at REEF Fest 2024! Thank you to everyone who joined us recently in Key Largo and made it such a fun weekend. 💙 Check out this photo album to see more highlights: https://lnkd.in/eCnGUqak For those who weren't able to make it to REEF Fest this year, be sure to check out the seminars! Recordings are available for viewing on our Facebook page and YouTube channel (WeSpeakFish). Save the date for next year's REEF Fest: October 16-19, 2025 in Key Largo! 🏝️🤿

Are you a diver who wants to get involved in citizen science? We are hosting a SMILE project workshop in the Florida Keys this Sunday, October 27 - it's a fun, free way to dive into conservation! 🤿 The SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Lengths Estimates) project is a collaborative pilot project underway in the upper Florida Keys. With easy-to-use camera and laser technology, volunteer divers can help us estimate fish lengths simply by taking photos! 🐠📸 Details: 🌊 Classroom Lesson and Camera How-to: 9:30am - 11:00am at the REEF Campus in Key Largo - May attend virtually or in-person 🌊 2-tank Dive: 12:30pm check-In at Key Dives in Islamorada Qualifications (to participate in diving portion): ✔️ Advanced Open Water certified or equivalent ✔️ Minimum of 50 dives logged The workshop and dives are free to join! All participants must register and submit a refundable $40 deposit. Read more and register by visiting www.REEF.org/events 📸: Tom Sparke

What an incredible way to kick off REEF Fest 2024! 🎉We had an absolute blast last night at our Open House - thank you to everyone who came out and made it special. Also, big thanks for FKBC to supplying delicious local beer for us to enjoy! Here are some highlights from the evening!📸 Eager for more? This was just the beginning of what is to be an AMAZING weekend! Join us today at the Murray Nelson Government Center for the first day of ocean seminars. 🌊 Doors open at 2pm for coffee and light snacks, and the first talk will begin at 2:45pm. Stay tuned to our social media for more updates throughout REEF Fest. If you'd like to view the full event schedule, check out www.REEF.org/REEFfest