REEF is proud to partner with over 130 dive shops, dive clubs, individuals, and other organizations as REEF Field Stations. This month we feature the Dive Club of Silicon Valley. The dive club started organizing Great Annual Fish Count Events (GAFC) over 10 years ago. Club member and leader of their REEF programs, Kari Larson, says "The club has always been interested in ways to help the environment and help divers understand their role as underwater ambassadors. As a club we promote fun and safe diving. The GAFC was a perfect fit." After learning about the GAFC, she and fellow club member and husband, Mike Davis, thought it was "a good fit for the club and sounded fun. It gave us a chance to contribute to ocean conservation." Ten years later, they are still at it. The club has scheduled 3 upcoming ID classes and a survey dive at Lover Point Park in Pacific Grove, CA (details below). Kari and Mike feel that as a grass roots effort, REEF helps promote involvement at even a beginner diver level and that is important. Kari also noted that, "The access to the database is important, it allows our divers to see how their efforts make a difference. The online resources help members not only in our home area but as they travel to different locations they can identify the fish there also". Club members have started participating in REEF's online Fishinars and the club offers Level 2 & 3 REEF experience testing.
Dive Club of Silicon Valley - 2012 Great Annual Fish Count Events
June 20, 7-9pm Invertebrate - Dr. Steve Lonhart NOAA
June 26, 7-9pm Basic FishID - Mike Davis PADI IDCS Instructor
July 2, 7-9pm Basic FishID - Mike Davis PADI IDCS Instructor
July 7, 8am GAFC and BBQ at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove, CA