To support Reef Relief's fall programs
 
  September 2015
International Coastal Cleanup Day!
 
Reef Relief is hosting a cleanup of Little Hamaca Park on Saturday, September 19th in honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day. The entire Reef Relief staff will be in attendance and they hope you will join them in their efforts to preserve a small piece of the paradise that is Key West. 

Little Hamaca Park is home to many endangered animals and the salt ponds, which act as a nursery to young wildlife. Litter is dangerous to wildlife who often mistake it for food, causing starvation and death. Trash can easily make its way to the ocean if it is not disposed of properly. 

If you would like to join Reef Relief on Saturday, September 19th please RSVP to 
305-294-3100 or  reefrelief@gmail.com

Meet the new additions to the Reef Relief team!

Autumn Elbourn is currently in a work-placement year while studying at Plymouth University in England. She will be an education intern for the fall and will return to England in the winter to complete more work experience. 

Lindsey Reisz recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in marine biology. She became Reef Relief's Program Coordinator after her summer internship as a Coral Camp counselor. 

Heather Kenyon is a student at the Florida Keys Community College and is currently enrolled in the Marine Environmental Technology program. She will be the Stormwater Education Program intern and is eager to work with Reef Relief's volunteers.

Volunteers Wanted: 
Stormwater Education Program 

Reef Relief has taken on a new aspect of their Stormwater Education Program in partnership with the city of Key West. Volunteers will be distributing educational door hangers to residents which provide information and valuable tips for homeowners that are easy to follow! Since storm drains flow directly to the ocean, stormwater runoff ends up in our nearshore waters and reefs. This runoff is often very polluted, but it doesn't have to be! Reef Relief is hoping to enlist the help of those living on our beautiful island to keep the waters clean. 

For more information or if you would like to volunteer email Heather Kenyon
hrkenyon22@gmail.com

And of course if you see Reef Relief's door hanger on your door please take a few minutes to read it!

Disney Conservation Fund Grant!

Reef Relief was chosen, for a third consecutive year, as a recipient of Disney's annual conservation grant! The money from the grant will go towards Reef Relief's Coral Reef Youth Education Program. 

Reef Relief's programs have continued to expand year after year, reaching nearly 3,000 students during the 2014-2015 school year. Focusing primarily on pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, their Discover Coral Reefs School Program is put in place in most Monroe County Schools each year.  During their summer vacation, the Coral Camp for Kids Program reaches 225 local and visiting youths at our education center in downtown Key West.  Our primary goal of creating positive and responsible stewards of the environment can be met yet again in collaboration with the local schools and teachers.  

With another year of funding thanks to the generosity of the Disney conservation Reef Relief's program can continue to grow in the coming year to reach even more students.


Transitioning from Coral Camp to Reef Relief's 21st Year of Their School Program


Mondays at Coral Camp included a trip to the Key West Aquarium where the campers learned about some of the creatures they would see while snorkeling later in the week.

Coral Campers preparing to snorkel on one of the weekly trips with Sebago Watersports.



A visiting group of students from Spirit Lake High School, Iowa, conducted water quality testing at the Key West Marine Park to compare with water tested near their home school.


Students answer questions about the coral reef ecosystem during a classroom presentation at The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea.



The kindergarten class of The Grace Lutheran School explored coral from around the world during a visit from Reef Relief's Education Coordinator.
Poinciana Elementary School 2nd graders enjoyed a classroom presentation about the coral reef ecosystem.