Oct. 2: Reef Check Foundation Hosts Gala to Help Preserve Ocean Reefs Worldwide

The world’s largest volunteer reef monitoring and conservation organization, Pacific Palisades-based Reef Check Foundation announces its gala fundraising event, “Save the Reefs, Save the Oceans”. Dedicated to conservation of two ecosystems--tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs--and with volunteer teams in over 90 countries, the non-profit’s benefit will be held Thursday, October 2, 2014, at the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica, California. Sponsors include Body Glove, Edison International, Gibson Dunn, Houlihan Lokey, Nova Medical Products and VeeV.

The gala will feature great music by Maria de la Vega and the Wayward Five, exceptional food, exclusive auction items, celebrities and the unique chance to meet some of the thousands of volunteer Reef Check who monitor Californian and tropical reefs as part of the Reef Check Foundation’s citizen scientist programs.

Reef Check will recognize the contributions of their “Heroes of the Reef” each having demonstrated an exemplary commitment to ocean conservation. This year will honor Julie Packard, marine biologist and Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Through her work at the aquarium, the Pew Oceans Commission, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and through service on numerous boards, Julie has dedicated her life to marine conservation and the promotion of sound environmental policy. Ed Begley Jr., actor, director and environmentalist, will be honored for his dedication to and passion for the ocean and environmental concerns. Ed has long been considered a leader in the area of reducing our carbon footprint. Volunteer diver David Horwich will receive the Citizen Scientist of the Year Award for his participation in the Reef Check California program since 2007. A regular on surveys in the Monterey Bay area, David has made more than 120 survey dives for Reef Check.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.reefcheck.org/events/gala2014/. For any questions, please call 310-230-2371 or email rcinfo@reefcheck.org.

Founded in 1996 by marine ecologist Dr. Gregor Hodgson, the Reef Check Foundation provides ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions to save reefs, by creating partnerships among community volunteers, government agencies, businesses, universities, and other nonprofits. Every year, Reef Check trains thousands of citizen scientist divers who volunteer to survey the health of coral reefs in over 90 countries as well as rocky reef ecosystems along the entire coast of California. The results are used to improve the management of these critically important natural resources.

For more information visit www.ReefCheck.org.