Reef Check Foundation, the world’s largest volunteer reef monitoring and conservation organization, will host its gala fundraising event, “Save the Reefs, Save the Oceans” this Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica.
The gala will feature great music by Maria de la Vega and the Wayward Five, food, exclusive auction items, celebrities and the unique chance to meet some of the thousands of volunteer Reef Check EcoDivers 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, call 310.230.2371 or emailrcinfo@reefcheck.org.
