Press Release: For Immediate Release Wednesday, March 30, 2004

Contact Person: DeeVon Quirolo, Reef Relief (305) 294-3100 or deevon@bellsouth.net  

Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Opening of Reef Relief’s Reef World April 21

Mark your calendar now to celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at the grand opening of Reef World, Reef Relief’s new educational facility at the Historic Seaport in Key West.  An open house is planned for 9 am–4 pm with a ribbon cutting at 12:30 pm and a reception from 4 pm until 7 pm.  All are welcome. 

“We’ve  moved our gift shop into what was a small classroom on the boardwalk and have converted the former gift shop at the foot of William Street into a larger classroom and public education facility to learn about coral reefs,” noted Reef Relief’s DeeVon Quirolo.

Reef World has a coral reef diorama featuring original artwork donated by local artist Ray Rolston and displays on turtles, dolphins and sharks with photographs by Don Kincaid, Clara Taylor and Craig Quirolo.  The displays are accompanied by hands-on activities for children of all ages, including a microscope with slides of sealife, a reef creature identification activity and more.   A classroom seating area features continuous video presentations.

The grand opening on April 21 will feature a premier of the new 15 minute DVD production entitled “Dive Back in Time” produced by Reef Relief’s Craig Quirolo and Joel Biddle.   Visitors can learn about coral reef health from displays produced by Craig Quirolo based on his 12 year ongoing Coral Photo Monitoring Survey.  A variety of free printed information on coral reefs is available as well.   During the grand opening, all visitors will be given a free poster. 

“We hope everyone will join us for this Earth Day celebration.  Reef World provides a free, fun, place to learn about our coral reefs,” notes Reef Relief’s Educational Director Joel Biddle.  “Special groups, visitors, and residents are all welcome to visit Reef World and we are available to give special presentations.  It is also the classroom used  for our Discover Coral Reefs School Program.  

“Volunteer docents are needed to be hosts at Reef World.  If you have a day or even a half day per week that you can dedicate to helping introduce our visitors and residents to the beauty and diversity of coral reefs, then contact Reef Relief at (305) 294-3100,” added Biddle. “Training is provided and it is a good way to spend a day.”  For more information, contact Reef Relief at the foot of William Street in Key West or online at www.reefrelief.org or by email to reef@bellsouth.net.