Headlines for November 12th, 2008
2008 IYOR Research Study Update
The International Year of the Reef (IYOR) study
continues to develop nicely. Students are now
working on qualitatively investigating environmental
issues in their community that are related to coral
reef decline. Almost 200 students are participating
in four states and as part of their investigation
they are surveying between 2000-2500 USA residents
on their environmental and ocean literacies. The
results will be very interesting to analyze and
report, we hope to have some initial results by
January, 2009.
The students are also running a quantitative
scientific experiment utilizing classroom aquariums
containing captive raised coral from RSF culture
tanks.
Figure 1: Initial aquariums setup
Each classroom contains two experimental tanks
and two control tanks that each contain three
different species of coral.
Figure 2: Corals acclimating
Next week the students will begin
manipulating the temperature of the experimental
tanks to collect data on the impact of higher
temperatures on coral growth, survival, and
reproduction.
Figure 3: Corals as seen from
above
Utilizing these two inquiry projects the students
are able to compare and contrast the differences
between qualitative and quanitative methods of
inquiry. It is hoped that these two projects will
provide the students involved in the research study
with improved critical thinking skills allowing them
to understand environmental issues. After the
research study has ended, the students should
understand how to develop and implement action plans
to reduce environmental problems.
2009 Fundraising Drive Beginning
The RSF Board of Directors will be meeting in
December to finalize our fundraising goals for 2009.
However, one fundraising initiative has already
begun. The RSF has established charitable accounts
at Kroger food stores for the states of Texas and
Louisiana and for Randalls/Tom Thumb grocery stores
nationwide. The Kroger and Randalls programs are
slightly different, but they both essentially donate
1% of grocery store purchases to the RSF. Through
these programs you can save money on gas and
groceries and, at no extra cost to you, support the
RSF's efforts to slow coral reef decline.
The links below will take you to the Kroger and
Randall's sign up instructions. We have set a goal
of 500 families to sign up for the Kroger program
and 250 families for the Randalls program. We will
update periodically with our progress on reaching
this goal. We encourage you to take just a
couple minutes out of your day to help support coral
reefs for the rest of the year.
Headlines for July 7th, 2008
2008 International Year of the Reef Study to Begin
We are happy to announce that the University of
Houston research study titled: "Investigating the
International Year of the Reef and Coral Reef
Decline" has cleared final approvals and is
scheduled to start later this month. The Reef
Stewardship Foundation, along with many of our
supporters, has funded this research study that
should provide many insights into student knowledge
of coral reef decline and how the topic can be
supported in high school classrooms.
More details can be found on the
2008 IYOR Study page.
Headlines for April 7th, 2008
New Name, Website and Mission
To better align our name with our mission, the
DIBS Foundation has changed its name to the Reef
Stewardship Foundation. Along with the new name we
have changed our logo and website. As the Reef
Stewardship Foundation continues to grow and expand,
we will make changes to reflect our most critical
goals and the best scientific, educational, and
conservation information available for coral reef
stewardship, conservation and protection.
So why the new name "Reef Stewardship
Foundation"? The research concerning coral reef
decline shows that the rate of coral reef decline is
accelerating with a better understanding of the
damage already done and what will happen in the
future.. With 27% of coral reefs already lost and
another 32% predicted to be lost by 2030, time is
running out to conserve and protect these beautiful
natural wonders and the immense benefits they
provide to humanity. Coral reef decline is perhaps
one of the most complex environmental problems
facing our global society. Damage to coral reefs
comes from a wide variety of local, regional and
global environmental problems that have a
devastating cumulative impact.
The solutions to coral reef decline are a
complicated mix of policy and the interactions
between science, society, and technology. This
confusing mixture of necessary steps can be
paralyzing when action becomes necessary. It will
take a global effort to solve coral reef decline,
and that effort will start with, and ultimately only
succeed, with individuals like you and me. If coral
reefs are to be saved, individuals will have to
commit themselves to individual acts of stewardship.
Every person on this planet has an impact on coral
reefs through their personal choices and actions.
The global action necessary to save coral reefs is
daunting, but individual acts of stewardship are
easy to accomplish and can have significant
collective impacts.
Through individual and collaborative stewardship
we can make a difference. Working together through
stewardship we can attempt to save the coral reefs,
and in most cases, improve our own lives. The
balance of nature has been disrupted by humanity, we
are the only ones that can restore it before these
amazing creatures are lost to us forever.
Professional & Educational Presentations and
Publications by Foundation Members
Borneman, E. H. (2006). Coral reef guinea pigs:
culture of research clonal lines, Proceedings of
10th International Coral Reef Symposium.
Borneman, E. H. (2006). Reproduction in aquarium
corals. Proceedings of 10th
International Coral Reef Symposium.
Borneman, E. H. (2000). Response to new threat to
coral reefs: trade in coral reef organisms. Issues
in Science and Technology, Winter issue.
Borneman, E. H. (2000). Unnecessary collections for
the marine aquarium trade: Species with extremely
low survival rates. Proceedings of the 9th
International Coral Reef Symposium, Bali.
Borneman, E. H., & Lowrie, J. (2001). Advances in
captive husbandry: An easily utilized reef
replenishment means from the private sector?
Bulletin of Marine Science, 69(2), 897-913.
Bruckner, A. W., & Borneman, E. H. (2006).
Developing a sustainable harvest regime for
Indonesia's stony coral fishery with application to
other coral exporting countries. Proceedings of
10th International Coral Reef Symposium,
1692-1697.
Bruckner, A. W., Borneman, E. H. & Field, J. D.
(2003). An assessment of the Oceanographic Institute
of Dominica, a coral aquaculture facility located in
Portsmouth, Dominica. A report prepared for the
Fisheries Department of Dominica.
Bruckner, A. W., Borneman, E. H. & Field, J. D.
(2003). Coral community dynamics on coral reefs near
Portsmouth, Dominica with recommendations for
sustainable harvest practices and reef restoration
strategies. A report prepared for the Fisheries
Department of Dominica.
Plankis, B. J. (2007). How to Retool the Classroom
Aquarium for Environmental Stewardship., Texas
Science Teacher, 36(1), 13-15.
Marine Aquarium Industry Presentations
Plankis, B. J. (2007). Project DIBS: An
Introduction. A Presentation for the Dallas/Fort
Worth Marine Aquarium Society, Dallas, TX July 11,
2007.
Plankis, B. J. (2007). The Desirable Invertebrates
Breeding Society: Working Together as a Community. A
Presentation for the International Marine Aquarium
Conference, Chicago, IL, June 3, 2007.
Plankis, B. J. (2007). Project DIBS An Introduction:
The Need for Captive Bred Invertebrates. A
Presentation for the Rocky Mountain Reef Club,
Arvada, CO, May 12, 2007.
Plankis, B. J. (2007). An Introduction to Project
DIBS: The Need to Breed. A Presentation for the
Pittsburgh Marine Aquarium Society, Pittsburgh, PA,
April 21, 2007.
Plankis, B. J. (2007). Project DIBS: An
Introduction. A Presentation for the Marine Aquarium
and Reef Society of Houston, February 3, 2007.
Plankis, B. J. (2006). Project DIBS: An
Introduction. A Presentation for the Houston
Conchology Society, November 21, 2006.
Marine Aquarium Industry Publications
Greenemeier, M. & Plankis, B. J. (2007).
Wanted: Hobbyist Heroes to Stop An Alien Invasion.
Reefkeeping Magazine, 6(9).
Plankis, B. J. (2007).
Hobbyists Advancing the Hobby, Part III: Creating
Educational Videos to Share Hobbyists' Knowledge.
Reefkeeping Magazine, 6(11).
Plankis, B. J. (2007).
Hobbyists advancing the hobby, Part II: An
introduction to Project DIBS. Reefkeeping
Magazine, 6(1).
Plankis, B. J. (2006).
Hobbyists advancing the hobby, Part I: Changing
shared practices starting with live rock hitchhikers.
Reefkeeping Magazine, 5(11).
Plankis, B. J. (2006).
Observations on anemone predation and reproduction
by hitchhiking aeolid nudibranchs.
Reefkeeping Magazine, 5(4).
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