laurel7
New
Greetings Southern California divers,
Did you ever dream of being a marine biologist when you were younger? Well, this is your chance to become a citizen scientist! Why not get trained to learn more about the local environment many of you are already diving in on a regular basis? We have a couple of open spaces remaining in our final Reef Check training this year. The training takes place on June 11/12 (at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point) and on June 25/26 (six dives, overnight to Catalina on the Sundiver). More details can be found below or by checking this link: Reef Check California Training Schedule
This is a great way to learn about our local species, kelp forest ecology and issues facing our coastal marine resources. You also learn how to use underwater survey methods and get your own survey gear! And as a bonus, becoming a Reef Check trained diver may give your dives a different purpose. Many of our volunteers have said that their diving hasn't been quite the same after going through one of our trainings. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and I can even put you in touch with one of our volunteers. In addition, if you are planning to attend the Scuba Show in Long Beach this weekend, feel free to stop by our booth for more information. Reef Check staff members will be present and we will have about a dozen of our trained divers helping at the booth throughout the weekend - they can fill you in on why they got trained and why they continue dive with Reef Check.
For those of you unfamiliar with Reef Check, here's some more detailed info on the program and the training:
Reef Check relies on specially trained volunteer divers from around the state to assist with unbiased scientific data collection of Californias rocky reefs. We then pass along this data to resource managers so they can determine the best methods of managing our ocean resources. (To find out more about our sites or our data, please check out Reef Check California - Saving Reefs Worldwide.) We have recently announced our 2011 training dates and we are looking for dedicated divers to join the Reef Check team to help us accomplish our ambitious 2011 survey goals.
To date, Reef Check California has trained and certified over 700 volunteer divers comprised of a diverse group of ocean users including recreational divers, commercial urchin fishermen, lifeguards, marine educators, police divers and university students. Since 2005, RCCA divers have completed 304 surveys along the coast, from Humboldt County to San Diego County.
If you are interested in collecting data on our local rocky reefs and getting more out of your dives, this may be the perfect fit for you. Participants will learn about our local ecosystems, will meet like-minded divers and will be able to participate in our regular survey dives which will ultimately help improve marine management by providing much needed data.
2011 Southern California Training dates:
· Santa Barbara Training: April 9/10 (classroom and pool) and April 16/17 (boat dives)
· Los Angeles Training: May 14/15 (classroom and pool) and May 21/22 (boat dives)
· Orange County Training: June 11/12 (classroom and pool) and June 25/26 (boat dives)
To sign up for a training, please check out this page: Reef Check California Training Schedule.
The trainings take place over two weekends: The first weekend consists of classroom and pool activities. The second weekend consists of 6 dives over two days. You will become very familiar with many of Californias marine species of fish, invertebrates and seaweed. All training materials (transect, data slate, compass, calipers, manual, field guide flash cards), boat costs and NAUI specialty certification cards are included in the training. Survey dives take place statewide throughout the year, with local dives taking place a few times per month. Prospective divers do need to have over 30 lifetime dives with 15 dives taking place in California or other locations with water temps under 68° F. You can check our website for more information on course specifics, prerequisites and exactly whats included in the training here: Reef Check California Training Course Outline Spring-Summer 2008.
Thanks and safe diving,
Laurel
Southern California Volunteer Coordinator
Reef Check California
Did you ever dream of being a marine biologist when you were younger? Well, this is your chance to become a citizen scientist! Why not get trained to learn more about the local environment many of you are already diving in on a regular basis? We have a couple of open spaces remaining in our final Reef Check training this year. The training takes place on June 11/12 (at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point) and on June 25/26 (six dives, overnight to Catalina on the Sundiver). More details can be found below or by checking this link: Reef Check California Training Schedule
This is a great way to learn about our local species, kelp forest ecology and issues facing our coastal marine resources. You also learn how to use underwater survey methods and get your own survey gear! And as a bonus, becoming a Reef Check trained diver may give your dives a different purpose. Many of our volunteers have said that their diving hasn't been quite the same after going through one of our trainings. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and I can even put you in touch with one of our volunteers. In addition, if you are planning to attend the Scuba Show in Long Beach this weekend, feel free to stop by our booth for more information. Reef Check staff members will be present and we will have about a dozen of our trained divers helping at the booth throughout the weekend - they can fill you in on why they got trained and why they continue dive with Reef Check.
For those of you unfamiliar with Reef Check, here's some more detailed info on the program and the training:
Reef Check relies on specially trained volunteer divers from around the state to assist with unbiased scientific data collection of Californias rocky reefs. We then pass along this data to resource managers so they can determine the best methods of managing our ocean resources. (To find out more about our sites or our data, please check out Reef Check California - Saving Reefs Worldwide.) We have recently announced our 2011 training dates and we are looking for dedicated divers to join the Reef Check team to help us accomplish our ambitious 2011 survey goals.
To date, Reef Check California has trained and certified over 700 volunteer divers comprised of a diverse group of ocean users including recreational divers, commercial urchin fishermen, lifeguards, marine educators, police divers and university students. Since 2005, RCCA divers have completed 304 surveys along the coast, from Humboldt County to San Diego County.
If you are interested in collecting data on our local rocky reefs and getting more out of your dives, this may be the perfect fit for you. Participants will learn about our local ecosystems, will meet like-minded divers and will be able to participate in our regular survey dives which will ultimately help improve marine management by providing much needed data.
2011 Southern California Training dates:
· Santa Barbara Training: April 9/10 (classroom and pool) and April 16/17 (boat dives)
· Los Angeles Training: May 14/15 (classroom and pool) and May 21/22 (boat dives)
· Orange County Training: June 11/12 (classroom and pool) and June 25/26 (boat dives)
To sign up for a training, please check out this page: Reef Check California Training Schedule.
The trainings take place over two weekends: The first weekend consists of classroom and pool activities. The second weekend consists of 6 dives over two days. You will become very familiar with many of Californias marine species of fish, invertebrates and seaweed. All training materials (transect, data slate, compass, calipers, manual, field guide flash cards), boat costs and NAUI specialty certification cards are included in the training. Survey dives take place statewide throughout the year, with local dives taking place a few times per month. Prospective divers do need to have over 30 lifetime dives with 15 dives taking place in California or other locations with water temps under 68° F. You can check our website for more information on course specifics, prerequisites and exactly whats included in the training here: Reef Check California Training Course Outline Spring-Summer 2008.
Thanks and safe diving,
Laurel
Southern California Volunteer Coordinator
Reef Check California
