By Reef Check California Director Dr. Jan Freiwald
The 2012 training schedule is up! Join our ranks as a citizen scientist by participating in one of our trainings. There are seven courses, from Ft Bragg to San Diego, available for new Reef Checkers. If you are interested in surveying with us again this year, there are seven opportunities to be recertified. Spots are limited, so sign up today at http://reefcheck.org/rcca/training_schedule.php

In preparation for the upcoming field season, we have been entering the last of our 2011 data. We are looking forward to getting back into the water soon to build on the success of last year, having completed 13 training courses and 10 recertification courses. We expanded the geographic range of our program and trained 244 Reef Checkers statewide.

We also have organized several trainings, lectures and events for the upcoming weeks. We will have several lectures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, volunteer parties in Monterey and Long Beach, and Reef Check California will be at the Underwater Parks Day at the Long Beach Aquarium on January 21st. Stay tuned for details on these events at the Reef Check forum.

We wish you a Happy New Year and are looking forward to seeing you all in 2012!