June 2011 Reef Relief News: One Ocean, Coral Camp goes to Boston, and upcoming events‏

World Oceans Day

This June 8th marked the 19^th year that people across the globe have celebrated World Oceans Day. This year’s focus is “Youth: the Next Wave for Change”.  Reef Relief has been working hard to reach our future ocean caretakers to spread the message of ocean conservation through our Discover Coral Reefs School Program and Coral Camp.  No matter your age you can celebrate our Oceans today by making a commitment to do one new ocean friendly action.

Visit https://www.reefrelief.org/blog/ocean-friendly-practices/ for suggestions on things you can to do to help our oceans today and into the future.

On Monday, June 13^th,, Reef Relief’s Environmental Center opened its doors to the first class for this summer’s Coral Camp for Kids. The first week was full with young ocean explorers wanting to learn all they can about our own coral reef ecosystem.  This year’s camp has added several new activities for the 6-12 year old campers that include: a new digital microscope that will be used to show the kids all sorts of cool little critters that cannot be seen with the naked eye such as zooplankton, and we will also look at beach sands from around the world  to learn about physical oceanography including waves, tides, and currents. Field trips include;  the Key West Aquarium, the Key West Wildlife Center, the Butterfly Conservatory, NOAA’s Eco-Discovery Center, and snorkel school at the Fort Zachary State Park before the kids are taken out for two days of snorkeling at the reef with Fury Watersports and Sebago.  In past summers we have encountered manta rays, sea turtles, sharks and a host of other marine life.  By the end of the week the kids are ready to graduate with the satisfaction of having had tons of fun while learning so much about our coral reef ecosystem.

Reef Relief has been invited to present, “Coral Camp for Kids” at the National Marine Educators Association’s annual conference to be held in Boston, MA the last week of June.  Reef Relief’s Director of Marine Projects, Rudy Bonn, and Reef Relief associate, Amanda Gambill, will present Coral Camp for Kids to an audience of marine educators from all over the world.  Coral Camp for Kids is one of the few programs selected to present this year from across the nation and it is truly an honor to have our program recognized by other marine educators from across the globe. Good luck to Rudy and Amanda!

Coral Camp runs weekly through August 19th.  Slots are still availbale but are filling up fast. For more information or to download the registration form, visit  https://www.reefrelief.org/blog/kids/coral-camp/  Or you may stop by the Reef Relief Center at 631 Greene St, Key West.

Reef Relief has been selected to receive a $15,000 grant from the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation. Reef Relief has been one of many worthwhile nonprofit organizations that have been fortunate enough to benefit by the generosity of the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation.  This foundation has supported Reef Relief in its work to conserve and protect our coral reefs since our very beginning.  Thank you to the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation for your enduring commitment to coral reef conservation.

On Friday, June 17^th, our Director of Marine Projects, Rudy Bonn, attended the Understanding Ocean Acidification teacher workshop at NOAA’s Eco – Discovery Center. The workshop covered NOAA’s newest interactive educational modules where the user can actually load in different parameters such as water temperature and pH and witness what would actually take place in the ocean under the users chosen scenario. If current levels of carbon dioxide emissions continue unabated coral reefs could face the very real possibility of extinction by the end of this century.  Climate change is now the single biggest threat to coral reef ecosystems the world over.  Climate change working in synergy with other stressors is putting coral reef ecosystems in jeopardy and the millions of people that depend on them throughout the world.

You are cordially invited to the 24^th Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, July 18th, 2011 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Pier House Caribbean Spa Room at 1 Duval Street, Key West. Join Reef Relief staff and Board of Directors along with other Reef Relief members as we celebrate our marine environment. Hear the Annual State of the Reef Addres and presentations by MOTE and FKNMS. Free food and a cash bar. The meeting is open to all members or you can join at the door for a minimum tax deductible donation of only $15.  If you have not renewed your membership, now is the time. We hope to see you there!