Four-day event includes diving, snorkeling, kayak tours, ocean seminars, and socials

KEY LARGO, FLA. – All are invited to celebrate marine conservation during REEF Fest on Oct. 13-16, 2022, in Key Largo, Fla. Hosted by Reef Environmental Education Foundation, this annual event features educational ocean seminars, social gatherings, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Seminars and most social 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. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. Guest speakers include scientists, underwater photographers, and more. This year's seminar speaker lineup includes:
• Dr. Chris Stallings, Associate Professor, University of South Florida, who will discuss the history and significance of Goliath Grouper in Florida
• Dr. Andrea Grover, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha, who will share how citizen science can support climate resilience
• Dr. Ben Titus, Assistant Professor, University of Alabama and Senior Marine Scientist, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, who will explain how clownfish-sea anemone symbiosis and citzien science are connected, and
• Dr. Richard Smith, Underwater Photographer, Author, and Marine Conservationist, who will share a richly-illustrated talk highlighting small and cryptic (yet stunning) coral reef inhabitants like pygmy seahorses.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Richard Smith, a British award-winning underwater photographer, author, and marine conservationist. Richard will be signing his bestselling book, The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs before the keynote seminar on Saturday. To view 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. 13 from 4-7 pm. Lights 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. 14 from 5-6:30 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. 15 from 5-9 pm. Enjoy food, drinks, and a beautiful sunset over the waters of Florida Bay, plus live music and 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 are available online for $100 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 Key Dives, Quiescence Diving Services, Amoray Dive Center, and Florida Bay Outfitters are offering special REEF Fest eco-excursions on the mornings of Thursday, Oct. 13, Friday, Oct. 14 and/or Saturday, Oct. 15. Diving, snorkeling, and kayaking may be booked online directly at www.REEF.org/REEFfest/diving.

On the morning of Sunday, Oct. 16, attendees may join in a guided walking tour of a nature trail at John Pennekamp State Park. After the tour, attendees can choose to then take a scenic drive down U.S. 1 to visit REEF’s community partners including Coral Restoration Foundation, History of Diving Museum, and the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center.

REEF would like to thank First Horizon Foundation, Florida Keys Brewing Company, A Movable Feast, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council for their support.

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.

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