Volunteer

Become a Volunteer

The Reef Monitoring Project gives you a chance to get involved in local conservation efforts by studying and reporting marine life species off San Diego's coast! By becoming a citizen scientist you will be contributing to this much-needed research and your dives will now have a purpose.

Training

The first step in becoming an SDOF Reefer is to complete the Volunteer Application, then sign up to attend a training course where we will teach you how to conduct a survey and identify species seen in Southern Californian waters. We currently offer both fish identification and invertebrate identification courses. Surveys are completed on your own time and then the data is mailed to SDOF to be recorded. Rewards, such as free boat dives are given for completing surveys.

Continuing Education

Underwater identification may seem a little intimidating at first, but we're here to help! Join SDOF fish expert, Herb Gruenhagen at La Jolla Shores on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month for a guided identification dive. He can help you identify those tricky fish in their natural environment, and maybe even show you a new dive site!

Learning never ends! Every other month, SDOF offers continuing education opportunities for Reefers. These events include lectures by expert scientists and conservationists, exhibits by renowned photographers and behind the scenes tours of local marine facilities and collections.

2008 Reef Monitoring Project Training Classes

Invertebrate Identification

Thursday, August 14 | 6:30-9:00 pm | Invertebrate Identification
Tuesday, Nov 11 | 6:30-9:00 pm | Invertebrate Identification

Fish Identification

Saturday, July 19 | 11:00 - 1:30 pm | Fish Identification
Thursday, Oct 30 | 6:30-9:00 pm | Fish Identification

REEF survey kits (not required but highly recommended for surveyors) are available to purchase for $25 and include a 1-year membership to San Diego Oceans Foundation.