KEY LARGO, FLA. – All are invited to celebrate ocean conservation during REEF Fest on Oct. 17-20, 2024, in Key Largo, Fla. Hosted by Reef Environmental Education Foundation, this annual event features educational ocean seminars, social gatherings, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and a nature tour. Most events are free and open to the public, although online pre-registration is requested. Please visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest for complete details.

Ocean Seminars
Free educational seminars will be held on Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. Guest speakers include scientists, underwater photographers, and more. This year's seminar speaker lineup includes:
• Stephen Frink, Underwater Photographer and Publisher of Alert Diver Magazine, who will highlight the history and current outlook of reefs and marine life in the Florida Keys
• Natalia López Figueroa, Ph.D. Candidate, University of South Florida College of Marine Science, who will share her research on Upside-down Jellyfish as indicators of ecosystem health
• Kramer Wimberley, Founder, Diving with a Purpose-Collective Approach to Restoring our Ecosystems (DWP-CARES), who will discuss the importance of maritime shipwreck documentation while highlighting the work of DWP-CARES
• Rob Robertson, Ichthyology Collection Manager at the Florida Museum of Natural History, who will share how the Florida Museum Fish Collection helps improve our understanding of fish communities
• Dr. Alli Candelmo, REEF Director of Conservation Science, who will discuss two REEF projects that combine new imaging technology with citizen science to gather data for fisheries assessments
For full talk summaries and speaker bios, visit www.REEF.org/REEFfest/seminars.

Social Events
Tour the oldest building in the Upper Keys during the REEF Fest Open House, held at the REEF Campus (MM 98.3 in the median) on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 4:30-6:30 pm. Light snacks, plus wine and local craft beer from Florida Keys Brewing Company will be available. The Open House is free and open to the public. Mingle with friends over sandwiches, snacks, and drinks during the REEF Fest Happy Hour Social, held on Friday, Oct. 18 from 5-6 pm at the Murray Nelson Government Center. The social is free and open to the public.

For the Love of the Sea, the annual REEF Fest celebration dinner, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5-8:30 pm. Enjoy food, drinks, and a beautiful sunset over the waters of Florida Bay, plus a silent auction benefiting REEF's marine conservation programs. An open bar with local craft beer from Florida Keys Brewing Company, plus wine, liquor and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages are also included. Tickets may purchased online for $105 per person.

Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Conservation Activities
From coral reefs to mangrove trails, REEF Fest is the perfect opportunity to explore the amazing marine environments of the Florida Keys. Local operators including Quiescence Diving Services, Pirates Cove Watersports, and Florida Bay Outfitters are offering special REEF Fest eco-excursions on the mornings of Thursday, Oct. 17, Friday, Oct. 18 and/or Saturday, Oct. 19. Diving, snorkeling, and kayaking may be booked online directly at www.REEF.org/REEFfest/diving. On the morning of Sunday, Oct. 20, attendees may join in a guided walking tour of a nature trail at John Pennekamp State Park.

About REEF
Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) conserves marine environments worldwide. Our mission is to protect biodiversity and ocean life by actively engaging and inspiring the public through citizen science, education, and partnerships with the scientific community. For more information, visit www.REEF.org.

###