Mote's BleachWatch Training: Key Largo

Description

Join Mote Marine Laboratory's Florida Keys BleachWatch team! The BleachWatch program is designed to train and coordinate volunteers who regularly report on the occurrence, or absence, of coral bleaching, as well as basic environmental conditions from various reef sites throughout the Florida Keys. This rapidly reported observational data is then synthesized with existing NOAA remote sensing and environmental monitoring data to provide the scientists and resource managers with a summary of actual “current conditions” on the reef throughout the summer months. This information will allow researchers to further develop the accuracy of available coral bleaching predictions and assist resource managers to better communicate the condition of the reefs as potential bleaching events occur, as well as integrating the information into existing management plans. This project is funded by Mote's 'Protect Our Reefs' license plate and is coordinated by Mote Marine Laboratory in conjunction with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Pre-registration is requested at mote.org/bleachwatch. If unable to attend an in-person workshop, online training is also available at mote.org/bleachwatch. For more information contact Eva Laxo at: bleachwatch@mote.org or 941-685-1860.