July & August 2024
Newsletter

SUMMER FIELD REPORT

Dear reader,

I am thrilled to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter, packed with double the excitement and updates after a busy summer of field work! As the Executive Director of the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund, I am continuously inspired by the unwavering dedication and passion of our team as we strive to preserve and restore the precious coral reef ecosystems of the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands.

In this special double edition, we are excited to showcase some of the incredible projects that have been taking place over the summer months. From continuing our successful coral biobank but with new species introduced and more corals than ever, to our multiple education and outreach projects, and our RumPowered Research® expedition which although didn’t go as planned, went exactly how it was meant to!

As we continue to actively seek space to expand our land-based systems to support the vital marine life that calls our reefs home, your ongoing support is more crucial than ever. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and resilience of our oceans for generations to come.

Thank you for being a part of our journey towards a sustainable future for the Turks and Caicos reefs. Let's dive in and explore the exciting updates and achievements together!

With Hope,

Alizée Zimmermann
Executive Director
Turks and Caicos Reef Fund

Positive news to keep our hearts inspired…

GRANTS KEEPING KIDS IN THE LAB & WATER!

Several small grants towards our education and outreach projects have kept our kids in the water and in the lab this summer!

Thanks to the generosity of Graceway Supermarkets and Sandals Foundation we were able to certify another group of young SCUBA divers and we are well on our way to having a full arsenal of snorkel and safety equipment.

No more having to borrow from multiple (very kind and accommodating) tour operators every time we help run snorkel adventures for the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center! 

TCI represented in International REEF MENTOR NEtwork

Alizee was invited to participate in a regional workshop as a mentor for starting up a land-based holding facility. 15 countries were represented and wonderful connections were made with TCRF benefiting from virtual sessions on photomosaics and 3D modeling as well networking with mentors around the region focusing on everything from crab and urchin rearing for ecosystem restoration to cryopreservation of coral gametes.

The ‘Be a mentor, Meet a mentor’ concept was very successful. Alizee and TCRF will continue to partner with Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA.org) throughout this 3 year project.

RumPowered Research® was a success!

Although the weather prevented us from going to East Caicos, an alternative itinerary was created around West Caicos and French Cay. Now in future years, we have multiple options for repeat data collection depending on the weather. During this week aboard the Turks and Caicos Explorer (www.explorerventures.com) TCRF volunteers and visiting coral biologists, researchers, dive enthusiasts, journalists, and filmmakers, accomplished:

• 3 x 10x10m Photomosaic plots

• 1 x 25x25m Photomosaic plot

• 6 sites were surveyed in detail using AGRRA and GCRMN

• 60 fish transects, 30 benthic transects and 900 benthic quadrat photos were collected

• Collaboration with U. Miami to collect samples for symbiont analysis

• Collaboration with Planet Werx to test their innovative tech solutions to make science more accessible to small island communities 

• We also had award winning journalists and filmmakers join the vessel to help capture the story (more on that soon!) 

The beauty of RumPowered Research® is that it brings a broad range of minds together to work, converse, imagine a better world and look for creative solutions to what can sometimes feel like ever-mounting problems.

Realities that we’re facing…

BOOK YOUR NEXT STAY SUSTAINABLY

Book your stay at a Reef Keeper Certified Hotel and know that you’re directly benefiting our marine conservation work.

Our Reef Keeper Conservation Program is a certification initiative designed to engage and involve resource users, such as resorts and watersports businesses, in the conservation of the TCI’s coral reefs. As the only non-profit environmental advocacy entity in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we recognize the need to expand conservation efforts by creating a program that allows participation regardless of financial capability.

Certified Reef Keepers:

1. Andaz Turks & Caicos (Opening in early 2026)
2. Wymara Resort
3. Ocean Club East & West (Starting October 1st, 2024)

Wherever you stay, ask the front desk or property manager if they are part of the Reef Keeper program!

do you Own a rental property
in Turks & Caicos islands?

Become a Certified Reef Keeper today! Enlisting your property in our Reef Keeper Conservation Program can help us keep the islands ‘Beautiful by Nature’ and further conservational efforts.

A commitment to improving your property’s sustainable initiatives and adding an optional donation of $2 per night towards reef conservation on your guest’s bill, is a small but HUGE way that you can help us grow our team and our reach.

Find out which tier suits your property best…

Tier 1 — Basic Certification
Tier 2 — Supporting Certification
Tier 3 — Champion Reef Keeper

Help bring supplies to the Island

We invite you to browse our latest Amazon Wishlist filled with items that benefit our non-profit directly! By downloading it, you can view the items listed that we need desperately. You’re welcome to purchase & drop these items off to help support our cause further.

Thank you for your continued support!