Reef Relief Awareness Week
Key West, FL -The annual Reef Awareness Week celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Florida Keys' living coral reef. Spearheaded by Reef Relief, a nonprofit grass-roots membership organization, Reef Awareness Week focuses on the richness of North America's only living coral barrier reef and the need to preserve and protect it and other coral reef ecosystems.
Geared for both children and adults, activities emphasize environmental education and responsibility through enjoyable learning experiences. Reef Awareness Week will also feature daily reef and conservation tips via Florida Keys newspapers and radio stations, as well as at www.reefrelief.org for ocean lovers outside the Keys.
Reef Relief was organized in 1986 to install mooring buoys near the fragile coral reef in order to eliminate anchor damage at frequently visited sites near Key West. Among many other projects, the organization has since spearheaded a campaign to improve water quality in the Keys, been a major supporter of the creation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, established a Lower Keys coral nursery and worked to create the Key West Marine Park along the island's Atlantic Ocean shore, which features no-motor "swim-only" lanes for swimmers, divers and snorkelers.
Reef Relief founder, Craig Quirolo, will present his annual "State of the Reef Address" at the organization's annual membership meeting. The meeting is free to Reef Relief members, and nonmembers can join at the door.Families are also invited to visit Reef Relief's educational facility, Reef World, to learn about coral reefs.
Throughout the week, ocean aficionados are invited to visit Reef World to view exhibits and enjoy activities related to coral reefs, dolphins, sharks and sea turtles. Reef World is open from 9am-5pm but anyone in Key West should also visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
The big finale on Saturday is the "Jewel of the Sea Reef Ball," which will also feature a silent auction to raise even more funds for Reef Relief…and that’s the whole idea…taking care of our fragile reef!
For more information about Reef Awareness
Week or to learn about Reef Relief's efforts to preserve the coral reef
ecosystem, contact Reef Relief, phone: 305.294.3100, e-mail: reef@bellsouth.net. 
For the most recent info on this event and others,
check our Key West Special Event Calendar.
