To support Reef Relief's education and outreach programs
 
  January 2016
  Happy New Year from Reef Relief! 
Urgent: Call Your Legislator for Clean Water! 

In December 2015, Reef Relief and 105 other organizations and businesses signed a letter, along with the Sierra Club Florida and  other Floridians' Clean Water Declaration campaign coalition partners, asking for protection of Florida's waterways. This letter was sent to Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli.

The bills that are currently written do not satisfy the needs of our Florida waters and that has to change. The proposed amendments will make the bills worth supporting by improving water quality, protection of springs, etc. 

Type in your address into this link to see the phone numbers for your state senator and representative.

We are asking you to call your state legislators today and ask them to "support amendments to eliminate loopholes and deficiencies in the 2016 water bills".       

  Enjoying a discussion during breakfast at the Everglades Coalition Conference
Photo credit: Mill McCleary
Reef Relief in the Community  

Everglades Coalition Conference
 1/7/16-1/9/16
The entire Reef Relief staff traveled to Coral Gables, FL to attend the Annual Everglades Coalition Conference. The conference was extremely educational to the staff on the issues southern Florida is facing and it was a great networking opportunity for the organization. Of course, we enjoyed catching up with old friends and creating new ones who are as passionate about our environment as we are.

Marine Debris Cleanup at Geiger Key Marina
 1/10/16
Reef Relief partnered with Key West Eco-Tours to cleanup the mangroves surrounding the Geiger Key Marina. We removed 251 lbs. of trash with the help of 23 volunteers! Reef Relief would not be able to make a difference in the environment without the help of our dedicated volunteers and community. Be on the lookout for an announcement about our February 2016 cleanup!
 
FL Keys Seafood Festival
 1/16/16-1/17/16
The Reef Relief staff and volunteers set up an informational booth at the FL Keys Seafood Festival to educate attendees about the coral reef ecosystem. We enjoyed discussing the Key West Marine Park, snorkeling sites throughout the FL Keys, volunteer opportunities and Coral Camp 2016 with those who stopped by our booth. 

Upcoming: Spread Stormwater Runoff Awareness
1/23/16
Join us for a couple hours to distribute educational door hangers to the community on Saturday, January 23rd. Volunteers will meet the Reef Relief staff at 11:00am in Bayview Park next to the tennis courts. Look for the Reef Relief banner. The distribution will conclude at approximately 1:00pm. Please RSVP to Shell Rann at reefrelief@gmail.com or call (305) 294-3100.

Exciting Additions to Our Retail Store!

We were very excited when we were approached by Exotic Oceans to partner with them on this beautiful 2016 calendar. The Exotic Oceans Team is just as passionate about the planet and the preservation of the underwater world for future generations as Reef Relief. You can buy these calendars in the Reef Relief Environmental Center located at 631 Greene St. Key West, FL or online at www.reefrelief.org/store.
 
Craig Dietrich is the photographer of the beautiful images that will bring the wonders of the ocean into your home or office. Craig served our country as a naval photographer during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After his time in the Navy, Craig learned to scuba dive and became a scuba instructor. He combined his two favorite loves and became an underwater photographer. You can purchase Craig's images from the calendar and others at www.dietrichunderwater.com.

To learn more about the Exotic Oceans Team, their calendar project and expeditions visit their website, www.ExoticOceans.com or find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/exocalendar.  

A peek into the new variety of art work we are selling!  
You can purchase these pieces, magnets and more at the Conch Republic Seafood Company retail store or in the Reef Relief Environmental Center located at 631 Greene St. Key West, FL. 
All magnets are $5.00 each. The prices of the hanging artwork ranges from $12 to $40 depending on the size.