WNC’s Team ECCO becomes REEF Field Station

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. - Feb. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- REEF is the Reef Environmental Education Foundation based out of Key Largo, Florida.  Field Stations serve as active centers of outreach and education for REEF. Their stated mission is: The Reef Environmental Education Foundation is a grass-roots organization that seeks to conserve marine ecosystems by educating, enlisting and enabling divers and other marine enthusiasts to become active ocean stewards and citizen scientists.

The new designation enables Team ECCO to expand their teaching curriculum to offer standardized programs and lessons on fish field surveying and both fish and marine invertebrate identification.  Fish field surveys are done by both snorkelers and scuba divers to gather data on species diversity and abundance at any given coral reef site.   Surveying is one of the key elements in research diving.  Any data collected during a reef survey is submitted to REEF and tabulated with data from other reef systems around the globe.   This gathered data is used by scientists, fishing and wildlife agencies.  Team ECCO will also offer courses and programs to the general public, and interested private groups.   These are wonderful additions to NC CORE goals on fish identification and adaptation.

“This is an exciting step in the growth of Team ECCO and our mission to educate and conserve the marine environments,” commented Brenda Ramer, Executive Director of Team ECCO.

Team ECCO is also excited to announce that our supporting partner is Local Morgan Stanley agents Julie Nease and Gregg Condon.   “Julie and Gregg approached Team ECCO to offer sponsorship toward the Aquarium and it was decided to put that sponsorship directly into the REEF teaching program.”

To date, Mr. Condon and Ms. Nease have contributed $1,250.00 from the Hendersonville branch of Morgan Stanley to purchase needed teaching equipment and materials.   In the photo are Julie Nease, Brenda Ramer, and Greg Condon displaying some of the lion fish education and collection materials and an image of the financial support of Morgan Stanley.   Morgan Stanley will be listed on all related teaching materials used for REEF courses.

About Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium

Team ECCO provides the only aquarium and ocean learning lab in Western North Carolina that is open to the public. Team ECCO believes and demonstrates that learning comes through experience, and experience is the best teacher. The Team ECCO Center gives our community an opportunity for learning that enriches school based curriculums and provides family and individual enjoyment. Its mission is to promote scientific discovery through interactive learning encounters that develop understanding and respect for water based ecosystems.

This mission is designed to foster stewardship, develop leadership, and build friendship - all skills critical to team work.  These programs are a way of sharing a love of our marine environments with all those who might not otherwise have the chance to experience it.  For more information, please visithttp://www.teamecco.org/

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