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WHAT WE DO
The Ocean Reef Conservation Association was founded in 2009 for the purpose of
supporting local environmental, fishery, as well as fishery habitat projects that will
hopefully makea difference in the foreseeable and near future.
Over the past twelve months the Ocean Reef Conservation Association has made contributions to Audubon of Florida, the Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust, the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the South Florida National Parks Trust, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the International Game Fish Association, Natures Conservancy, the Coral Restoration Foundation, the Mel Fisher Marine Heritage Society, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, and the Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys.
In 2009 we also recognized the need for a new generation of marine environmental caretakers and stewards to take up the challenge in helping us keep our water clean, clear and pristine and our fishery vibrant. . In 2010 $70,000 in scholarships were awarded to young men and women who chose to have a career in marine and ocean sciences and who hopefully will return and do just that in our beautiful local waters and fishery.
"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children."
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Ocean Reef Conservation Association Scholarship Progam was started to provide scholarship awards to graduate students focusing on applied/practical studies in marine affairs, marine biology, environmental studies, or other degrees that are related to marine conservation and marine wildlife. The Program fulfills this mission by awarding stipends to currently enrolled graduating students pursuing a bachelor degree with a major in marine affairs.
The Scholarship Program is managed by four directors. To view current officers and directors please click here.
A review committee evaluates the applications and decides who will receivethe available scholarships.
This is an excellent invesment and donors are encouraged and welcomed to give a tax-deductible contribution to the foundation.
MORE PICS
Roseate Spoonbills in Florida Bay
On Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Dr. Jerry Lorenz, Research Director at the Tavernier Science Center of Florida Audubon, will give......More
Card Sound Road Restoration Project
View Complete Slideshow of before, during and after the cleaning project
Lionfish Invasion
Lionfish, which are native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, are now establishing a foothold along the eastern coast of the U.S. from our Florida Keys to North Carolina. Since lionfish are not native to Atlantic waters,...........more
The Guerrero Project gallery click here
The Ocean Reef Rod and Gun Club and The Ocean Reef Coservation Association Invite you to a talk on a sea-level rise in the Florida Keys by: Chris Bergh (Director Coastal and Marine Resilience) more.....
Why Donate to the Ocean Reef Conservation Association:
The Ocean Reef Conservation Association was founded with the idea that people can join together to make a real difference in the world. Your financial support enables us to provide life changing experiences that preserves the Florida Keys critical natural resources and build the next generation of conservation leaders. Thank you.
Make an online Donation to:
Ocean Reef Conservation Association
----OR----
You can also donate your boat to The Ocean Reef Conservation Association. To learn how click here
2010 - 2011 Officers and Directors
Jack Curlett (Right)
President
Bob Ecuyer (Right)
Vice-president
Ken Reda (Right)
Secretary
Patty Jacobson (Right)
Director
Recent Donations
Boat Donation Program
We are an IRS-approved non-profit organization; we professionally manage charitable yacht and boat donation programs nationwide.
Boat donation allows us to provide direct funding and other specific assistance to organizations that support our environment and fishery as well as our children and young adults in education.
Donating your boat is a very practical way to relieve yourself of the costs and responsibilities of ownership while receiving a tax deduction and helping our local youth programs and our environmental and fishery program all in one smooth transaction.
The Ocean Reef Conservation Association is able to accept your boat donation from anywhere in the United States and abroad.
We provide fast and professional service, and we assume all expenses of boat ownership such as moorage, maintenance and insurance immediately upon receipt of your Deed of Gift.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss how our boat donation program can benefit you. Just tell us about the vessel you would like to donate, calling us at: 305-367-2669 or e-mail us at oceanreefca_bellsouth.net
74' Hatteras Sport Deck
50' Sea Ray Sundancer
18' Mako Open Fisherman
Designated to help the Coral Restoration Foundation (CFR)
read more....
On Wednesday, Mar. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at John Pennekamp
Coral Reef State Park, Dr. Jerry Lorenz, Research Director at
the Tavernier Science Center of Florida Audubon, will give
a lecture on the history and prospects for survival of the
Roseate Spoonbill.
Drawing on Audubons 80 year record of spoonbill nesting
patterns, and with his personal experience studying the fish
on which they feed, Dr. Lorenz will show how the human
population explosion in South Florida has had a multilevel
effect on spoonbills.
And its all thanks to you and your generous support to us, that we have been able to take part on this project by making a $5,000.00 dollars donation to this cause.
Dr. Jerry Lorenz(Left) of Audubon Receiving a $5,000 check
from Mr. Curlett for Roseate Spoonbill work 2011
The Ocean Reef Rod and Gun Club and
The Ocean Reef Coservation Association
Invite you to a talk on a sea-level rise in the Florida Keys by:
Chris Bergh
Director Coastal and Marine Resilience
The Nature Conservancy
"The sky is not falling, but the sea is rising"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Ocean Reef Cultural Center
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Program and Cocktails
RSVP to (305)-367-2727 or jrosenfeld_tnc.org
Lionfish, which are native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, are now establishing a foothold along the eastern coast of the U.S. from our Florida Keys to North Carolina.
Since lionfish are not native to Atlantic waters, they have very few predators. They are also voracious predators that feed on small shrimp and large fish, including the young of important commercial and recreational fish species like our snapper and grouper. Unfortunately, NOAA researchers have concluded that invasive lionfish populations will continue to grow and cannot be eliminated using conventional methods.
Reef Environmental Education Foundation(REEF), with the help of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, plans to host a series of lionfish derbies up and down the Keys starting in September. Divers who remove lionfish from sanctuary waters will be eligible for more that $10,000 in cash and prizes. Will this eradicate the invasive species? No, but it will help not only bring down the number of fish but also get people comfortable with the idea of catching, removing and hopefully finding out just how tasty they are. That might just do it.
Ocean Reef Conservation Association is a proud financial sponsor of this endeavor.
Ken Nedimyer(left), President of the CRF and Bob Ecuyer, Vice-President of the Ocean Reef Conservation Association.
Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs. They promote hands-on salvage of orphaned coral fragments and short-term care and growth in permitted offshore nursery sites. CRF was in need o a small boat to use in shallow water and the Ocean Reef Conservation association came to the rescue with a 18 Mako donated by Ocean Reef member Jack Dunn.
The Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) members are stewards of the most diverse and spectacular coral reefs in the United States. These reefs are suffering from the increasing pressures from climate change, boat groundings, water quality degradation, storms, the overgrowth of algae, and ecosystem decline. Our boat donation will assist them in many of their near shore, shallow water coral restoration projects. These living reefs off the Florida Keys are vital sources of habitat for marine life, and provide for the economic needs of our coastal communities.
Ocean Reef Conservation Association:
By Mail
31 Ocean Reef Drive Suite A-100
Key Largo, FL 33037
By Phone
305-367-2669
By Fax
305-367-2938
By Email
oceanreefca_bellsouth.net
Jack Curlett
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