We welcome people with different skills to participate in Reef Check, and examples how you might help are listed below. If you think you want to volunteer, then contact us at the closest coordination center (see the list of Reef Check Coordinators Worldwide, or in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at the coordination team in Bremen).
Anyone who can dive safely can participate in Reef Check surveys.
Answers to frequently asked questions about volunteering can be found on the
FAQ page.
The Reef Check Calendar for volunteering can be found on the EcoAction-page.
At Reef Check Europe, we especially appreciate professionals who can provide help in the following areas:
Fund-Raising
Web-Design
Press Relations and Communications
Marine Biologists as Team-scientists
Write to us if you want to help!
Are you a:
Recreational Diver?
Marine Biologist? Dive Instructor or Dive Guide? Community Organizer? Business Professional? PR, media person, or Freelancer? Fund raiser?Web-Designer or Programmer? Student or Member of the General Public?
Recreational Diver ?
Every recreational diver, who can dive safely and who wants to participate in reef surveys, can volunteer at Reef Check. Just plan your next dive-vacation at one of the locations where Reef Check Scientific Surveys are performed. You can dive all around the world with like-minded Reef Check divers. The list of current dates and locations can be found at Reef Check Dates. There are no additional charges in order to participate in Reef Check surveys beyond the regular diving costs. We can offer teams of recreational divers (eg: diving clubs), Reef Check scientists who can accompany the divers and guide them through the Reef Check surveys. So if your group wants to learn more about Marine Life on the reef, then contact us.
Marine Biologist ?
We are looking for Team-Scientists with a preference for degrees in Marine Biology and experience coral reefs. You will help with trainings on taxonomy and identification techniques as well as, later, leading individual surveys. Geologists with experience in coral reef development are also welcome. Please contact us if you want to use your expertise for Reef Check.
Dive Instructor or Dive Guide ?
We need experienced dive instructors and dive guides who can work together with the team scientist to ensure that the surveys are executed safely for all of the participants. Pleasecontact us in order to help.
Community organizer?
If you have experience or interest in running community projects (fund-raising, operations, project management), then you can apply your knowledge with Reef Check. Especially interesting is the enormous help from established NGOs such as Earthwatch, Reefwatch, and others, who already have reef-monitoring programs and found it easy to integrate Reef Check methods into their normal processes. By participating in Reef Check, your group can attain national and international media coverage and also be part of the largest reef observation program in the world.
Business Professional ?
By supporting Reef Check Teams, dozens of companies (eg: Condor, Nikon, Dive Bases, TUI, Robinson) achieve their publicity goals through the extensive media recognition on TV & radio, in newspapers & specialized journals, as well as in the internet. Many hotels and dive bases have increased the visibility and recognition of their company through the support on-location of Reef Check teams and the participation of their guests. If you want to offer reef protection participation to your customers, then contact us.
Journalist, PR-Specialist, media expert, or freelancer ?
If you enjoy writing and write well, then we would be happy to have your support in creating articles for the press. Just contact us. Do you want to write and article about Reef Check, then our coordinator will gladly help you prepare Reef Check stories for TV, Radio, or print media.
Fundraiser?
Volunteers with PR experience are especially welcome for fund-raising efforts. It is only through the financial support of individuals, companies, or endowements that Reef Check can achieve its goals. If you want to help Reef Check recruit new funding and supporters, then contact us.
Web-Designer or Programmer ?
Our web-pages need constant maintenance and improvements. Even the development of new features is only possible through the expertise and help of volunteers. If your interests and skills lie in this area, then you can put them to good use toward the success of Reef Check. Please contact us.
Student or Member of the General Public ?
Many of the Reef Check Coordinators can use your help with fund-raising, organizing, and PR efforts, so please contact us.