This came across coral-l last night and I thought it might interest the group:
Reef Awareness Week Set for July 21-27
Reef Awareness Week, Reef Relief's annual celebration of coral reefs, will be held the week of July 21-27th in the Florida Keys and online. This year's theme is Celebrating the Key West Marine Park, a newly-established area on the oceanside of Key West with no motor swim lanes and vessel access lanes that provides a safe way to explore the nearshore waters of Key West.
Reef Awareness Week will feature online events as well as activities throughout the Florida Keys, including the Annual Reef Relief Membership Meeting at the Casa Marina Resort on Tuesday, July 23 featuring Craig Quirolo's State of the Reef Address on the Bahamas Coral Nursery and a talk on The Challenge to Elkhorn Coral Conservation in the Caribbean by Dr. James Porter; a luncheon talk at Cheeca Lodge by Dr. Larry Brand on Black Water event in the Keys: Will it Happen Again? on Friday, July 26; a benefit sunset sail hosted by Danger Charters; and the gala Jewel of the Sea Reef Ball featuring music and dancing on Saturday, July 27th hosted by Kelly's Duval Beach Club in Key West.
"The Florida Keys is home to the third longest coral barrier reef in the world, and the most heavily-visited. Coral reefs are important for many reasons beyond the fact that they are home to more kinds of life than any other ocean environment. In the Florida Keys, the coral reefs are essential to our commercial fishing and tourism economy, they provide habitat for many endangered species, are a barrier to storm surge and improve quality of life by providing an ocean wilderness experience. Finding ways to keep our coral reefs alive and healthy is essential to our way of life." noted DeeVon Quirolo, Reef Relief's Executive Director. "Reef Awareness Week gives everyone an opportunity to get involved and learn more about our coral reefs."
Reef Awareness Week is sponsored by Gulfstream International Airlines, OMI, Keys Federal Credit Union, Cove Point Foundation, Pier House, Wyndham Casa Marina Resort, Cheeca Lodge, Solares Hill Newspaper, The Reporter, Keynoter, Old Town Resorts, Banana Bay Resort, Hampton Inn Key West, Conch FM & US One Radio, Clear Channel Radio, Keys Radio Group, Pikn 102.5, Sheraton Suites, Conch House Heritage House, and Gingerbread Square Gallery.
For more information, to reserve space at the luncheon or Reef Ball, or to get involved as a volunteer or a sponsor, contact Reef Relief at (305) 294-3100, email [email protected] or online at www.reefrelief.org. Or drop by the Reef Relief Environmental Center & Gift Shop at the Historic Seaport at the foot of William Street in Key West, Fl.
DeeVon Quirolo, Executive Director, Reef Relief a non-profit grassroots membership organization dedicated to Preserve and Protect Living Coral Reef Ecosystems through local, regional and international efforts. (305) 294-3100, P.O. Box 430, Key West, Fl. 33041
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Do you want to make a difference for coral reefs? With a stroke of your keyboard, you can! Join Reef Relief's E-list. It's free, it's easy. Go to our website to sign onto our mailing list. That's all it takes and you'll receive regular e-alerts with information about coral reef issues, opportunities to take action, and more..... http://www.reefrelief.org/main.html
