Monroe County Commissioners Sonny McCoy and a local student officially cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Reef World, Reef Relief's new educational facility, on Wednesday, April 21, 2004.

The Reef World ribbon cutting was attended by students from Montessori School, Monroe County Commissioners Dixie Spehar, David Rice and Sonny McCoy, Reef Relief members, board members and many other Key Westers and visitors. Artist Ray Ralston was there and was honored for his artwork of the coral reef diorama.

Reef Relief's Educational Director Joel Biddle presented students to Reef World with a reef video talk. Special groups are welcome to visit Reef World.

Reef World features a display on Endangered Sea Turtles and a sea turtle nesting exhibit produced by Craig Quirolo, showing how the eggs hatch and the sea turtles head out to sea. To the right are displays on the Coral Photo monitoring Survey.

Reef Relief Educational Director Joel Biddle is also a talented musician. At the grand opening of Reef World, he improvised a song about Carl, the Polyp to the audience's obvious delight. Also performing during the event was Dan Crandall-Smith.

Reef Relief Vice President Dorothy Lee Witwer, granddaughter Dolly Householder and hubby George Witwer having a fine time during the Reef World grand opening.

Attending the Reef World opening were many Reef Relief supporters, volunteers and members, including (left to right) Donnie Golightly, Garyanne Kimberling (founding Reef Relief Treasurer), Heidi Golightly (she and hubby Donnie are great supporters and volunteers!), Luiz Rodrigues (founder, ECOMB-- the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach), and volunteers Jan Callner and Judi Feffer.

Pictured in front of the Shark exhibit during the Reef World opening is Amy Lachat, a founding and current force at for the local organization Last Stand. Amy, watch out for the sharks!

At Reef World, there is a microscope where you can view marinelife at the cellular level and see what pollution does to the cells, but this little fellow is creating his own coral reef diorama with miniature reef inhabitants.

More fun at the Reef World opening. Top left is Luis Rodriguez (Executive Director, ECOMB), right is Reef Relief founder Craig Quirolo. Bottom right is Carolyn Etshman, founding Board Member and her daughter, Coral Etshman.

Volunteer of the Year Geoff Schrader, left, and Reef Relief's Craig Quirolo, right, having a good time at the grand opening of Reef World.

Left to right, Key Westers Rosi Ware, Reef Relief's DeeVon Quirolo, Garyann Kimberling enjoying a good time at the grand opening of Reef World.

Visitors during the grand opening of Reef World enjoyed, among other things, the coral reef diorama featuring original artwork by Ray Rolston.

Reef Relief's Michael Blades (right) with Kathy Kilroy (left), his new bride, during a happy moment at the grand opening of Reef World.