February 2025 General Meeting Presentation: Reef Check's True Barnes
David Sheh | Published on 1/13/2025
Dive with a purpose. Reef Check is a non-profit organization leading citizen scientists to promote stewardship of sustainable reef communities worldwide.
As Central Coast Regional Manager, True Barnes will give a talk about how Reef Check trains and organizes teams of local volunteer citizen scientist divers to collect data on reef health and assess climate change impacts on their reefs. Their work produces reliable information used by marine resource managers, scientists, and policymakers to make science-based ocean management and conservation decisions.
The Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring Training course is designed to provide participants with the skills and experience to complete the Reef Check Kelp Forest Monitoring survey protocol accurately. In addition to direct survey methods, the training will address safe diving practices, techniques of research diving, sampling design and theory, general marine ecology including species identification and interactions, and the importance of monitoring to meet marine management needs.
Training sessions are held in April through May, and require Rescue Diver certification. If you're considering joining Reef Check but still need to complete your Rescue course, contact Director of Training Dennis Hocker. Several Aqua Tutus members are Reef Check divers, and none is more renowned than the legendary Dave Chervin, who has dove with Reef Check for over two decades. Reach out to Dave if you're interested in learning about his personal experience and why he is involved.