Here's a great article from Keysnet.com on how to support our marvelous natural resources in the Keys.

Dive Time with Tim Grollimund

It’s better to give than to receive. My girlfriends over the years used to tell me that all the time, especially since they were enticing me to be the giver. But such is life, and most of the time I really enjoyed giving back to them.

Seriously, it’s the time of year when giving and receiving is on everyone’s mind, especially kids. Since I moved here, the reef has given more to me than I could have hoped or dreamed. Many years ago when I came to the Keys as a novice diver, I knew this was a special place. Now that I live here, it’s even more so. Balancing work and play is easier here than is was in Virginia. All I have to do here is grab my camera and my gear and I am doing both. I don’t have to pack the car, catch a plane, rent a car, and on and on.

So it seems to me that since we live in the land of perpetual vacation mindset, we can take a portion of what we would spend to get here and make our spot a little better. As I’ve said before — in the first piece I wrote last January — pick your passion and apply some effort, a few bucks, or donate that old piece of equipment an organization needs. We have a unique way of life provided to us by the resources of the sea. And there are many organizations that are giving back to the ocean. I’ve listed a few below that would very much appreciate your kind consideration this holiday season — and all year for that matter. Whether it’s a monetary contribution, an in-kind donation, or perhaps the most valuable contribution of all — your time — these local organizations will be very grateful for any help you give. Positive vibes from the local community are an essential strengthening element for the continuing sustainability of these nonprofits.

Coral Restoration Foundation: This is at the top of my list. The coral building blocks themselves are the basis of our provenance. In an earlier column I tried to put it in perspective — if CRF dives every day for the next four years, they still won’t be done planting the 34,000 fledgling coral colonies growing in the nurseries. To participate in a coral planting program through one of the local dive shops, sponsor an educational event, or Adopt a Coral see www.coralrestoration.org and www.adoptacoral.org.

Reef Environmental Education Foundation: As this edition rolls off the press, REEF will be gearing up for a yard sale on Saturday, the 10th, at their headquarters at mile marker 98.3. Their Christmas party is the 13th, and is open to the public. REEF is the leading organization in the lionfish mitigation effort. The three lionfish derbies in the Keys took over 1,500 invasive lionfish from our waters. They also conduct fish counts and a major grouper program. There are many activities and travel opportunities that offer rich learning experiences. REEF is also well-known for providing data to researchers on fish populations through the survey program. More than 155,000 surveys have been conducted. See www.reef.org.

Marine Mammal Conservancy: Intense effort for the pilot whale rescue and rehabilitation capped this year’s milestones for MMC. This is a leading center of activity, and draws in the expertise of many university professionals in the field. MMC covers all of the Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas, northwest to Cape Sable and northeast to Key Biscayne National Park. Since 1987 MMC has saved and released 102 marine mammals without rehabilitation, rehabilitated and released 45, and has a success rate of 67 percent. They have a great wish list on their website under the Rescue and Rehab tab on the main menu. I have photographed a couple necropsies for them, and am very impressed with the volunteer staff and the dedication they bring to caring for distressed marine mammals. See www.marinemammalconservancy.org.

History of Diving Museum: While not a direct dunk on the reef, HDM encapsulates “the story of man’s quest to explore under the sea.” It’s a creative, interactive, dynamic timeline of diving from the earliest diving bell to modern pressurized suits, including a collection of diving helmets from every nation that has crafted a helmet. The Bauer Diving History Research Library will open in March 2012. The library will contain an extensive and unique collection of rare books and archives. Every third Wednesday of the month they have a free lecture on diving, ecology or travel. The History of Diving Museum Store was recently voted the Best Museum Store in Florida by the readers of Florida Monthly magazine — a great place to shop for gifts for all ages. A membership also makes a great gift. See www.divingmuseum.org.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center: A true phoenix, the Wild Bird Center has risen to the next level of informative and entertaining wildlife posts in the Keys through recent renovations and the opening of the wild bird hospital. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. This is a great place to get up close with both Florida Keys birds and migratory birds in season. Everything from hawks to storks, pelicans, ibis, herons and egrets are either recuperating in enclosures or are in the natural habitat area on the waterfront. See www.fkwbc.org.

These selected organizations represent a wide variety of local funding and volunteer opportunities. And I’m sure I’ve missed a few. This holiday season send your love to the sea, and make your check payable to the group that aligns with your passion!

Source: http://www.keysnet.com/2011/12/09/403809/christmas-for-the-reef.html