This month, REEF is proud to highlight one of our outstanding Conservation Partners: Blue Endeavors in Alameda, California. REEF Conservation Partners are active organizations and dive shops dedicated to protecting marine environments. As valued REEF ambassadors, they teach fish ID classes, host survey dives, organize volunteer events and more. Read on to find out how you can get involved with these centers of conservation action!
With more than 80 partners across the country and beyond, there are plenty of opportunities to engage. You can see the full listing of Conservation Partners or register your business or organization as a REEF Conservation Partner here: www.REEF.org/conservation-partners.
About Blue Endeavors
Blue Endeavors is a non-profit with a mission to empower everyone to help save our oceans through conservation, restoration and exploration. Blue Endeavors creates advocates for the ocean through scuba diving training and citizen science-based curriculum. REEF has been an essential part of programming at Blue Endeavors over the last two years. Blue Endeavors regularly hosts fish and invertebrate identification classes, conducts REEF surveys on group dives, and attends live Fishinars to engage the community with REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project. You can also earn scientific dive certifications at Blue Endeavors, or participate in coral reef restoration in Bonaire or Roatan with other Blue Endeavors members.
Conservation Actions – How can you get involved?
• Join Blue Endeavors and become a member online here. Members are invited to join local dives, meet-ups, “Deep Discussions,” and additional social events throughout the year. Although based in California for now, Blue Endeavors is expanding across the west coast of the United States and beyond so stay tuned for additional locations.
• Join a a REEF survey dive! Complete REEF surveys on local dives in Monterey with other Blue Endeavors members and staff.
• Attend a Fishinar screening and learn about different marine life topics from all of REEF’s project regions. Blue Endeavors regularly tunes in to REEF’s Fishinars, and you are invited to join in the fun!
Why is conserving marine environments important to Blue Endeavors?
Owner Vince Smith says, "Our members and staff all have different motivations for getting involved in conservation. As the founder, I started Blue Endeavors because I grew up diving in Monterey and have seen the elimination of species and ecosystems in places I have been diving my entire life. Working with high school students I found that most were aware of the problems facing the ocean, but felt powerless to do anything about it. I wanted to create an organization that paired awareness with action, and connected people to the oceans and to a larger community of those that want to make a difference. Blue Endeavors is a place where people who care about marine conservation can come, get trained in a fun environment, and work with a network of amazing scientists and organizations doing important work, like REEF."
For more information visit Blue Endeavor’s website, check them out on Facebook, or send an email to info@blue-endeavors.org.