Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

In 2023, Reef continued to protect marine environments through Education, service and research. Reef provides Education and outreach activities to build and inspire a community of ocean stewards. The Reef campus in key largo fl serves as a visitors center to educate and engage the public with marine conservation. We also conduct online programming such as webinars and other interactive content. We conduct in-person programming led by Reef staff as well as the wide network of partners including dive shops and clubs, nature centers, and public aquaria. Public engagement with conservation is also fulfilled through the volunteer fish survey project, regarded as one of the most effective and powerful ocean citizen science programs. It gives divers and snorkelers an engaging and meaningful way to support marine conservation. Participants scuba dive and snorkel to collect and report information on marine fish populations as well as sea turtles and select invertebrate and algae species. This data is used to better understand and protect ocean ecosystems worldwide. Fisheries protections around the world depend on high-quality data. With Reef data, submitted by citizen scientists, researchers are making exciting discoveries about marine ecosystems, and policymakers have more information to refine conservation efforts. Volunteers collect and submit data on marine life sightings. It has generated the largest marine life sightings database, an unparalleled source of information that provides invaluable insight into the health, status, and threats of ocean habitats and animals.