Reef Check Foundation

Meet Helen Brierley, Reef Check's Board Co-Chair! Helen earned her Master’s in Economic Development from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies and started her career in investment banking. She moved on to real estate and fundraising internationally before moving to Los Angeles with her family. Helen has been involved with Reef Check for over 10 years. As an avid scuba diver, she sees the huge impact their programs like Dive Into Science have on the community. Dive Into Science makes scientific diving accessible to youth from a wide range of different backgrounds. "Watching last season’s diverse group of students enthusiastically embracing this unimagined opportunity was truly inspiring. Their lives were changed, their views of the ocean and what it holds were transformed, and new conservation ambassadors were created." Helen is also a passionate underwater photographer and has supported Reef Check through the storytelling of different dive days. "One of my favorite Reef Check memories was photographing the SoCal Edison Adopt a Reef weekend in Catalina at Casino Point a few years ago. Socal Edison employees accompanied Reef Check volunteers on a survey of the rocky reef and kelp forest. They were able to see firsthand the benefits of their company’s sponsorship. I’m sure the company also benefitted from such an awesome team-building event!" When Helen can’t be in the water, she likes to be on it, preferably sailboat racing. She helms a J111 with her husband Dan and usually 8 to 10 crew members and has won several trophies! Say hi to Helen in the comments 👋 #nonprofit #scubadiver #marinescience #volunteeropportunity #oceanconservation #sailor #roamtheoceans #shapedbythesea #reefrestoration #respectthesea #saltyadventures #saltysouls #savemarinelife #saveocean

Did you know you can travel and get involved with conservation efforts? Reef Check Italia recently had a huge training success in Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia! Students from all over the world joined together for their scientific diving and coral monitoring courses. 🌴 What to expect from a course like this: - Learn coral monitoring techniques - Conduct surveys on benthic invertebrates, fish populations, and CoralWatch bleaching - Enhance buoyancy and dive computer skills - Capture stunning underwater photos 🎓 Why Join? - Gain invaluable skills in scientific diving - Contribute to marine conservation - Experience the unmatched biodiversity of the Coral Triangle - Make lifelong friendships with other ocean advocates "Participating in the Reef Check Italia course is not just about a dive holiday, but a commitment to protecting our ocean’s coral reefs through the knowledge of scientific diving." 🔗 Read about one volunteer's experience with the course, and stay tuned for 2025 course details: https://lnkd.in/g5Sc2BxU

Exciting job opportunity for Washington divers! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Tumwater is hiring a Compliance Diver. This is a rewarding career monitoring the Commercial Wildstock Geoduck Fishery and ensuring sustainable practices. Requirements: 🤿 Certified SCUBA diver ✍️ Ability to write reports clearly and concisely ⛴️ Organized in tracking vessels, crewmembers/divers, and recording/calculating weights to verify shellfish catch records 🌊 Ability to travel and work under varied conditions 📲 Learn more about the position at our link and apply today to be considered for a team dedicated to preserving Washington’s natural resources. 📸: @tmcclure_photography #jobopportunity #scubadiver #washingtonstate #oceanconservation #sustainablefising #careerchange #scuba #washington

Bull kelp is responding to restoration efforts! Caspar Cove, located on the rugged Northern California coast, has been significantly impacted by ocean warming and the overpopulation of purple sea urchins, leading to the devastating loss of kelp forests. Our initiative, in partnership with the Watermen's Alliance, focuses on community-driven efforts to restore these vital ecosystems. Recent surveys are showing some promising results of our efforts! Data coming soon 🤓 🤿 Participate in urchin culling and kelp monitoring to help us restore balance and promote biodiversity. Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/geHPzGm9 #northerncalifornia #scubadiving #oceanconservation #nonprofit #helpthekelp #kelpforest #kelprestoration #marineconservation #volunteeropportunity #ecowarrior

Washington divers: Job Opportunity Alert! 🚨 The Samish Indian Nation is hiring a Natural Resources Technician! This hybrid/remote role is perfect for those passionate about environmental conservation and natural resource management. If you have experience in habitat restoration, fieldwork, and data analysis, this could be the perfect fit for you! Key Responsibilities: - Conduct field surveys and habitat assessments - Manage data collection and analysis - Assist in project planning and implementation 📝 Apply now and make a difference. Link in bio. 2nd 📸: @tmcclure_photography #jobopportunity #naturalresources #samishtribe #environmentalcareers #environmentalscience #washington #scubadiver

Some good coral news 👇 We have fantastic updates from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Despite heat stress indicators from satellite monitoring over the summer, recent surveys have revealed that the oceanic reefs off the coast of Western Australia have avoided mass bleaching events this year! Key Highlights: 🔹 Healthy reefs: The Rowley Shoals and other oceanic reefs show minimal bleaching, maintaining their vibrant marine life. 🔹 Resilient ecosystems: These reefs, due to their isolation and deep waters, have demonstrated remarkable resilience against rising sea temperatures. 🔹 Ongoing research: AIMS continues to monitor and study these reefs to understand their resilience and protect them for the future. This positive development is a beacon of hope amidst the global climate crisis and bleaching events, showcasing the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts. Read more about this development: https://lnkd.in/gECSkKrU @International Coral Reef Initiative #marinebiology #oceanconservation #climateresilience #climatecrisis #scubadiving #AIMS #westernaustralia

Become a fish ID expert with Reef Check training! Details on our website. For our Washington volunteers who are already certified: we have new species identification resources in your volunteer portal. Log in to refresh your skills before heading out on your next survey dive. #ScubaDiver #Washington #FishID #MarineBiology #MarineConservation #ReefCheck #ScubaDiving #VolunteerOpportunity #ScubaCourse

Scuba diving is a fun, social sport, AND it is a tool to do something good for our blue planet! Your first step into scuba will be the Open Water Course. Then, if you want to participate in our Reef Check program, you'll need some experience (get out there and dive for fun!). Follow that with the Advanced and Rescue Courses, and then you can join one of our certification programs all over the world. Our family of volunteers is how we are able to make an impact on reef health and marine protected area policies. 🤿 Send this to someone who might be interested in getting certified, and leave your questions about the courses in the comments! #kelp #kelpforest #oceanconservation #reefcheck #marinescience #marinebiology #scubadiving #scubadiver #volunteeropportunity #reefrestoration #openwaterdiver

Confirmed💀Fourth global coral bleaching event is happening now...⁠ ⁠ According to the latest report from NOAA and ICRI (of which Reef Check is a member), the fourth global coral bleaching event has been officially confirmed, posing a significant threat to coral reefs worldwide. This is the second global event in the last 10 years and Reef Check has been there all along the way to document the changes. ⁠ Why is this happening? Rising ocean temperatures. The primary cause of coral bleaching is rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. Warmer waters stress corals, causing them to expel the algae living in their tissues, turning them white and vulnerable to disease and death. ⁠ Why is this important? Bleaching has a devastating impact on marine ecosystems. Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots, supporting countless marine species and providing crucial ecosystem services like shoreline protection and fisheries support. The loss of coral reefs due to bleaching threatens marine life and livelihoods worldwide. ⁠ Want to learn more about the current state of coral bleaching in specific locations like the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Florida? Check out the full article: https://lnkd.in/dREPcYJX ⁠ #coralbleaching #climatechange #oceanconservation #saveourreefs #scubadiver #coralreef

As Citizen Science Month comes to a close, we want to extend a warm THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who make Reef Check's work possible around the globe. We will continue our gratitude all year long. See you in the water! #citizensciencemonth #citizenscience #communityscience #volunteeropportunity #reefcheck #scubadiver