Info on California Reef Check

[astrofunk]

Does anyone have any experience with California Reef Check? I'm interested in the training both as a way to learn more about the local environment, and possibly to volunteer in the future.

But I gotta say, so far I've had a hard time getting involved, or even learning about how to get involved.

I emailed the California program a few months ago with some questions but never heard back. A few weeks ago I asked (via the webform) to be put on a waiting list for Bay Area training programs. The reply email indicated that they want $100 to hold my spot on the waiting list. That seems crazy to me. I'd happily put down a deposit to hold a spot in a scheduled class, but I'm not sure I want to drop $100 just to hang out in waiting list limbo -- particularly when all I've been able to discover about the program is the boiler-plate on their website.

So if you've been through the training or know someone who has, I'd be grateful for some info!

Mods: not sure if this is the right forum; please move the thread if somewhere else would be more suitable.

best,
steve

 

[RCCenCal]

Hey Steve-
I am the Regional Manager for Nor/Cen California Reef Check Program. I apologize that you didn't receive a response to your previous inquires. The problem has been addressed and will not happen in the future. As for your training sign-up I believe the email text you received may have been unclear. Due to the extremely high popularity of our Reef Check EcoDivier courses all the courses in Monterey have filled up for this year. WE DO NOT REQUIRE A $100 DEPOSIT TO BE ON OUR WAITING LIST. If waitlist students do send in a deposit they are giving priority when a new class is added or spots become available in a scheduled training.
As for the training itself there are several trained RCCA divers on the board that have been through the training so maybe you can pose some specific questions to them to get a feeling for what it is like for a diver to go through the training. In the mean time here is some addtional info. on the training and what RCCA does. Divers like you are exactly the type of people making this program an incredible success. This year we completed over 65 surveys at 48 sites in California from Mendocino county to San Diego. The primary goal of RCCA is to improve marine management in California by directly engaging the diving community in the collection of scientifically valid data that can be used by marine resource managers. We have established partnerships with academic institutions, California DFG, and other relevant agencies to ensure that RCCA trained divers efforts have a direct positive impact on California's rocky reefs. Please don't hesitate to email me directly if you have further questions.

Thanks,
Cyndi Dawson
Regional Manager
Reef Check California Program
cdawson@reefcheck.org

Does anyone have any experience with California Reef Check? I'm interested in the training both as a way to learn more about the local environment, and possibly to volunteer in the future.

But I gotta say, so far I've had a hard time getting involved, or even learning about how to get involved.

I emailed the California program a few months ago with some questions but never heard back. A few weeks ago I asked (via the webform) to be put on a waiting list for Bay Area training programs. The reply email indicated that they want $100 to hold my spot on the waiting list. That seems crazy to me. I'd happily put down a deposit to hold a spot in a scheduled class, but I'm not sure I want to drop $100 just to hang out in waiting list limbo -- particularly when all I've been able to discover about the program is the boiler-plate on their website.

So if you've been through the training or know someone who has, I'd be grateful for some info!

Mods: not sure if this is the right forum; please move the thread if somewhere else would be more suitable.

best,
steve

 

[Ben_ca]

Hi Steve,
Here's some reports on last years class... It was a great time and even more fun when you can get out there an do the surveys....

Reef Check Class part 1

Reef Check Class part 2

Ben

PS Cindy is a blast in class... hard not to smile at someone who gets excited over counting algae

 

[astrofunk]

Thanks very much for you quick, informative reply!

If waitlist students do send in a deposit they are giving priority when a new class is added or spots become available in a scheduled training.

Ah -- the clears it up. The response email simply read something like "Please submit your $100 deposit within 2 weeks..." And I thought, woah, what deposit?

As for broader questions I have that are suitable for this board: What's the experience of an RCCA diver after training? Are there organized dives which you are then eligible to participate in? Or do you collect data on your own dives and submit it according to your own dive schedule? Are there established data collection sites? Or do you establish your own? Basically, how does it all work once you've been trained?

Again, thanks for your quick response. I'm looking to give my Monterey diving some direction, and I figure I owe something back to the environment I so enjoy.

 

[astrofunk]

Hi Steve,
Here's some reports on last years class...

Awesome -- thanks for the links.

It was a great time and even more fun when you can get out there an do the surveys....

So how does that work? You do surveys at your whim? Or as part of an organized event?

 

[Ben_ca]

So how does that work? You do surveys at your whim? Or as part of an organized event?

The local coordinators organize Reef Check events.. such as boats or shore dive project... most of the coordination is done on the Reef Check Forums If you have some during the week or want to organize a shore dive survey you can do that also just shoot the coordinators am email or pm and they'll find a site that could use a survey.

 

[Mo2vation]

ReefCheck Gallery here.

Big help, Ken





















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The hard working folks at ReefCheck California are some of my favorite subjects.
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[HBDiveGirl]

And the RCCA certified team-photographer makes us Reef Checkers look great! Thank you, Ken, for the beautiful images!

The thousand-word version of my training class is this link. (Get a cup of coffee and a comfy chair... it's long :14


Reef Check has been a wonderful way to give back to the oceanic community with scientifically valid data to be used in management decisions.

I love the team event of a survey:

• The site's identified
• Dates are set
• Logistics arranged (beach or boat?, one dive or two?, who's bringing the coffee?)
• RCCA certified divers sign up to do the survey
• Confirmations go out the night before
• Game Day!!! We all show up, form teams, make plans, distribute data sheets... and Go Diving!

We all use the standardized Reef Check Survey methodology, which is what all the training classes are about. We use the same indicator species lists and transect methods throughout the entire state of California.

After the dive, the data sheets are collected by the data captain (RC Staff or RC volunteer). If the required transects are not all completed on the first day, arrangements are made to dive the site again for completion (preferably within a 4 week window.)

After the survey is completed, the data is reviewed by the Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol. Acceptable data is entered into the Reef Check Data Base, and becomes available to all parties invested coastal water management.

The best part for me?
Reef Check is NOT an advocacy group.
Reef Check IS a statewide group of volunteer divers trained and validated to collect rocky reef data recognized by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Opinions can always be shouted down when decisions are made.
Valid scientific data MUST be considered when management decisions are made.

I like Reef Check. I like what it's added to my diving.
I like what I can contribute to the effort.

~~~~
Claudette

 

[JMdiver]

Ditto what Claudette said also it's a great feeling of accomplishment when you finish a site survey. Also to be able to identify all the sea life that we see while we're diving is fun instead of just looking around & not knowing what you're looking at. I love diving & being able to contribute & make a difference while I'm diving is just a great feeling.

John

 

[Mo2vation]

Ditto what Claudette said also it's a great feeling of accomplishment when you finish a site survey. Also to be able to identify all the sea life that we see while we're diving is fun instead of just looking around & not knowing what you're looking at. I love diving & being able to contribute & make a difference while I'm diving is just a great feeling.

John

You get to do this - John goes KaBoom!!!


A backwards atomic bomb blasts holding a slate and urchin calipers.

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