VACANT, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

300 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34113
(239) 417-6310 ext. 207
Fax: (239) 417-6315

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Florida Sea Grant and the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve partnered to re-launch the Team OCEAN program in 2010. The Team OCEAN program promotes marine-resources conservation in Florida while enriching the experiences of boaters, anglers and visitors in recreational saltwater activities. The program has been highly successful in the Florida Keys, where a program coordinator trains citizen volunteers who in turn educate the public about such things as safe boating practices, protection of critical habitat, and effective catch-and-release fishing techniques that reduce fish mortality.

Team Ocean Program Coordinator responsibilities are to develop and implement Rookery Bay's Team Ocean program, as well as to evaluate existing educational and training materials, and develop new and improved materials and approaches. The coordinator serves as the liaison with government and educational partners, the business community and other groups as spokesperson for the program.

Rookery Bay's Team OCEAN program is designed to meet local needs, and work with and train volunteers to assist with program implementation. In 2008, for example, boater volunteers trained in the Team Ocean program began outreach efforts to promote stewardship on south Keewaydin Island.