Press

On Saturday, June 9, 2007 Save Our Seas (of Kauai, Hawaii) and Reef Check Foundation will cosponsor the “The 2007 Clean Oceans Conference”, which will be held at the Princeville Resort in Kauai, Hawaii. 

1997 was the first International Year of the Reef, and was an awareness building year for the world’s oceans and coral reefs.  The 2007 Clean Oceans Conference support the International Coral Reef Initiative, NOAA and Reef Check Foundation in choosing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the first ever Reef Check in the world, which was completed in Kauai on the reef adjacent to the Princeville Hotel.  The Clean Oceans Conference will mark this anniversary by presenting scientific papers comprised of data secured through Reef Check coordinators throughout the world, and the opening presentation of the scientific session will be delivered by Reef Check’s own Dr. Gregor Hodgson, who will address the topic “Finding Effective Solutions to Coral Reef Conservation” In that presentation, Dr. Hodgson will address current problems on the world’s reefs, review where we have come over the last ten years, and propose various ways that we can save the world’s reefs through research, education and conservation.

Sea Camp Belize at Tranquility Bay

If you are aged 14-18 and want to get involved with the Reef Check Foundation come join us this summer on Ambergris Caye in Belize. We will be including all students in the Discover Reef Check program and also offering Reef Check’s Eco-Diver Caribbean certification. Guided Discoveries has an excellent dive safety record, and we have specialized in diving with kids for nearly 30 years!

Are you too old to attend? You can still help to spread the word about Reef Check…let someone know about this program who IS the right age.
      
What are you doing this summer?

Expedition cost: $3,600.00 (not including airfare)
Dates: July 1 – July 20th, 2007
Maximum Size: 40 Students — apply now!

For more information go to: www.seacampbelize.org or call 1-800-645-1423.

The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence of the invites you to learn more about the current condition and possible future of coral reefs around the world. 

 “Coral Reefs: Trouble in Paradise”

by Dr. Karla Heidelberg, University of Southern California

Wednesday, 28 February, 2007 at the Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

5:45 -6:45 pm:    K-12 educators’ session *
7:00-8:00 pm:     Public lecture

Dr. Karla Heidelberg received her Ph.D. and then held a post doctoral Fellowship at the University of Maryland. She conducted research on coral feeding and health in many locations around the world and participated in 3 saturation missions in the NOAA Underwater Habitat off Key Largo, FL. Subsequently, as a science advisor to the U.S. Dept. of State’s Office of Oceans Affairs, Dr. Heidelberg worked on international Treaties and Agreements to protect coral reef ecosystems, control land-based sources of pollution and prevent the spread of marine invasive species. Following this, at the J. Craig Venter Institute she coordinated the Sorcerer II Expedition, an around-the world expedition to evaluate marine microbial biodiversity using metagenomics (a new field that uses molecular techniques to evaluate the genetic complement of entire communities of organisms in order to learn more about biodiversity).

Dr. Heidelberg recently joined the faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California. She lives with her husband and their 6-year-old twins on Catalina Island and conducts research at the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. Her current research uses metagenomic approaches to study interactions of microbial communities as they relate to environmental change and to interactions with higher organisms. She hopes that new approaches like these will be useful as we try to learn more about the health and function of coral reef ecosystems.

* Admission is free for pre-registered educators who attend both the educators’ session & the lecture.

To attend only the lecture at 7 pm, call the Aquarium at 562-590-3100, ext. 0, to reserve a seat.

General public admission to the lecture is $7.00, AoP members and COSEE-West affiliates, $4.00.

Parking costs $6.00/car for all attendees at this event. No free parking available.

Directions to the Aquarium: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/VISITOR_INFO/aop_map.htm

Eligible pre-registered participants will be paid a stipend. Additional content information and
classroom materials will be provided and refreshments will be served in the educators’ session.

K-12 teachers may get documentation for Professional Development hours upon request.
This event counts toward credit for COSEE-West UCLA Extension courses and LAUSD salary point courses.

Teachers & other educators:

Pre-register for the pre-lecture educators’ session to receive content materials, stipend &/or course credit. Contact Peggy Hamner at UCLA,  tel: 310-206-8247, fax: 310-206-3987, e-mail: cosee.west@gmail.com