Tuesday, September 8th (6:30PM - 8:00PM)

Casa Machado
3750 John J Montgomery Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

Bioluminescence: Living Light in the Ocean Darkness

In the ocean darkness, especially the perpetual darkness of the deep sea where sunlight never reaches, there exists another form of light - bioluminescence. Angler fish grow luminescent bacteria as a glowing lure for attracting food while other fish produce beams of light for hunting prey. Jellyfish, so delicate they disintegrate when touched, emit brilliant displays of light. Some animals even produce a dim glow that camouflages them from predators. In surface waters, nighttime displays from plankton act as burglar alarms to discourage predators and as attractants for mating swarms. Red tides (that discolor the sea by day) create brilliant light shows at night.

Dr. Michael Latz will be showing some spectacular images and video of bioluminescence as well as shedding some light on how bioluminescence applications have revolutionized biomedical research. In this fascinating presentation, Dr. Latz draws upon 30 years of experience studying one of the most amazing biological phenomena in the ocean.

For more information about bioluminescence and Dr. Latz’ research, please visit his web site at http://siobiolum.ucsd.edu. To join us for this interesting lecture, please RSVP to cheryl@sdoceans.org today!

Ocean In Motion in the Classroom

It’s that time again! The summer is ending and SDOF is gearing up to go back to school (we’re ditching the fins and picking up the pens). This is the first year we will be offering Ocean In Motion classroom sessions to San Diego County schools and afterschool programs in the fall…and we’re ready to get started! Instead of our usual January – June schedule, we’ll be going in with interactive lectures, hands-on activities and live animal labs all year long (starting now)!

If you know of a classroom (or group of students) that would benefit from a little marine science and conservation, let us know! We’ve got three topics to choose from, serve all grades, K-12, and would love to come in and help!

For more information or to sign up for one of our educational programs, contact cheryl@sdoceans.org.
We’re filling the calendar as we speak!

Reef Monitoring Project

Our new and improved Reef Monitoring Project is finally complete! Now, you can work your way up the certification ladder with ease. Moving from a ‘Beginning Surveyor’ to ‘Advanced’ or ‘Expert’ not only gives your marine life surveys more credibility and a higher chance of being used in things like fisheries management and ‘MPA’ studies, it also promotes you to a status of surveyor that gets invited to exciting field projects all along the west coast!

So, come out, take one of our FREE identification courses, get in the water, do some surveys and come back when you’re ready for the next step!

REEF Certification Levels
Level 1 (All new REEF members)
Level 2 (Beginning Surveyor) 80% on Most Common Fishes Quiz (20 species); Completed at least 2 surveys
Level 3 (Advanced Surveyor) 80% on Most Common Fishes Quiz (50 species); Completed at least 25 surveys
Level 4 (Expert Surveyor) 90% on Most Common Fishes Quiz (60 species); Completed at least 35 surveys
Level 5 (Expert Surveyor)95% on Most Common Fishes Quiz (100 species); Completed at least 50 surveys

Check our online ‘Calendar of Events’ for our remaining 2009 classes and group dives. For more information, please contact volunteer@sdoceans.org.

White Seabass Restoration Project

Only a few weeks after our July release, we welcomed yet another class into San Diego Bay. A total of 10,981 fingerlings made it down from Hubbs’ Hatchery in Carlsbad to call SDOF’s growout facility ‘home’ for next few months.

As the program continues to grow and change, we are constantly finding ourselves with more and more volunteers! Because of this fact, we are now able to complete three hand-feedings each day, making sure the fish are always kept full, fat and healthy. Our dedicated ‘White Seabass Mentors’ take care of the fish, regularly maintain the facility and serve as our eyes and ears with regards to the program. Thank you for all that you do!

For more information about the programs below, check out the Our Online Calendar.
To RSVP for any of these awesome activities, email us at volunteer@sdoceans.org

25th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day

SDOF’s Underwater Cleanup Site: San Diego Bay (Embarcadero)
Saturday, September 19th
9AM – 12PM

While our beaches and canyons are being rid of trash by San Diego Coastkeeper and I Love A Clean San Diego, SDOF will be out cleaning up the underwater environment of San Diego Bay. Volunteers for this event will be responsible for removing harmful plastics, tires, shopping carts and whatever else that has accumulated at the bottom of the ocean via storm drains and illegal dumping! Although we have plenty of divers raring to jump in, we’re still in need of snorkelers and surface support volunteers to help transport, separate and record whatever’s brought in. The bay is in serious need of some TLC and SDOF is looking for help to provide it. In 2008, more than 7,000 volunteers joined forces to remove nearly 100,000lbs of trash across the state! We’re hoping to beating this record in 2009.

Volunteer Roles:
1) Surface Support Volunteers: Help pick up litter along the shore, separate debris brought in by divers/snorkelers and record group’s findings.
2) Snorkelers: Collect debris floating on the surface and transport trash picked up by divers to surface support volunteers.
3) Divers: Remove litter that has settled on the bottom of the ocean and transfer to snorkeling volunteer.

Note: All participating divers MUST:
1. RSVP by Monday, September 14th at 4PM.
2. Fax/email/mail a copy of their driver’s license and certification card(s) by Monday, September 14th at 4PM.
3. Have logged at least 20 dives.

· Due to permitting issues and safety requirements, you WILL NOT be allowed to enter the water unless you have satisfied ALL THREE conditions!
* Snorkelers MUST send in a copy of their driver’s license by the date above in order to participate.
· Directions to dive sites and additional information will be emailed upon receipt of RSVP to volunteer@sdoceans.org.
· Divers must bring all of their own gear to participate (including tanks and weights). Mesh collection bags will be available to those who cannot provide their own.

Volunteer Incentives:
As a ‘thank you’ for volunteering your time for such a worthy cause, SDOF will be providing snacks, water and a ‘goody bag’ for all participants. We will also be holding a free raffle after the cleanup where volunteers will have a chance to win one of many awesome prizes! Note: Extra raffle tickets/prizes will be issued for those who find the most trash and strangest items.

Ocean In Motion: Summer Snorkeling

We’re wrapping up our 2009 snorkeling season…but you still have a few more chances to get involved! We’re always in need of dedicated volunteers who will come out and help us inspire San Diego youth while in the water. Please check our online ‘Calendar of Events’ http://www.sdoceans.org/top_calendar_2.php or take a look at the dates below to volunteer when it fits with your schedule. We promise a rewarding experience and can’t do it without you!

Remaining 2009 Snorkeling Schedule
Wednesday, September 2 | 12:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Friday, September 4 | 12:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Saturday, September 12 | 12:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Sunday, September 13 | 12:30 - 4:45 PM
Wednesday, September 16 | 11:30 AM - 5:15 PM
Sunday, September 20 | 12:30 - 4:45 PM
Saturday, September 26 | 11:30 AM - 5:15 PM (Last Public Snorkeling Trip of 2009)

For more information about how you can sign your child(ren) up one of our trips or to volunteer, please contact zoe@sdoceans.org. If you have a group of at least 10 kids who would like to participate, let us know and we can find a date that fits with your schedule (and you’ll receive our special group rate)!

Reef Monitoring Project

Summer is coming to a close and we’ve got a great ending! Come, learn how to complete an underwater survey (or just practice your skills) and help protect marine life. Join us for a group survey and check out the marine diversity that the tourists travel from miles around to see! This is the perfect opportunity to become actively engaged in ocean conservation!

Reef Monitoring Adventure Dive
The Marine Room
(Just south of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and the Marine Room Restaurant)
Saturday, September 12th
8AM – 11AM

To get out, identify everything from marine worms to bat rays and be transformed into a ‘citizen scientist’, contact volunteer@sdoceans.org today!

Just imagine YOUR survey can provide the information necessary to safeguard our oceans for future generations!

Storm Drain Stenciling

Raising awareness about our connection to the ocean is never easier than when it’s with a group! Join us as we get together to stencil an entire neighborhood with our pollution prevention message - reminding people that motor oil, detergents, fertilizers, food wrappers and cigarette butts belong in trash cans and recycling centers…and not our streets!

Barrio Logan (email for additional details)
Saturday, September 26th
12PM – 2PM

Urban runoff has proven to be the largest contributor to marine pollution worldwide…but we have the power to change that! RSVP to volunteer@sdoceans.org to be part of the solution.

Canyon Watch

As the weather starts to cool, we’d like to invite you to spend the morning with fellow 'Canyon Watchers' on our next group hike:

Rose Canyon
Saturday, September 26th
8:30AM – 10AM

We'll be preventing the spread of pollution by walking this beautiful canyon (stopping every so often to inspect a manhole or pick up a bit of trash). This hike will be a great introduction to the program (or refresher) for anyone who wants it! Please contact volunteer@sdoceans.org to RSVP for this purposeful nature walk.

If you cannot make this hike, but still want to volunteer - please visit our 'Canyon Watch' tab for guides from canyons all over San Diego! Volunteers who go out on their own to monitor on a regular basis are those who make up the very backbone of this program!

White Seabass Restoration Project

Pen Cleaning (San Diego Bay)
Sunday, September 20th
9AM – 12PM

Are you a certified diver who wants to try something new and doesn’t mind getting a bit dirty?
We’re always looking for dedicated volunteers who’ll help clean our white seabass pens!

Since our facilities consist of mesh containment nets that hang in the water for months at a time, they often become COVERED with a variety of marine life. These organisms have found the perfect place to settle and take up residency! Problem is...they block out the very vital water circulation that provides oxygen for our fish. In order to keep our juvenile white seabass strong, healthy and ready for release into the wild, we need to perform regular maintenance on their containment nets. Amazingly, many of our ‘Pen Pals’ surface just to say ‘Scrubbing nets underwater is actually fun’! To dive for a cause and have some fun of your own, contact volunteer@sdoceans.org today.

* Must have logged at least 20 dives in order to participate. Proof of certification is required.

WSB Volunteer Orientation (San Diego Bay)
Sunday, September 20th
12:30PM - 1:30PM

Come out, enjoy the sun and learn all there is to know about replenishing a depleted fish population! After this short orientation, you’ll be able to volunteer as a ‘White Seabass Mentor’ and really contribute to the betterment of our oceans! Spending time out on the bay is never as rewarding as when you’re SEEING the difference you make! Contact volunteer@sdoceans.org to get involved.

Marine Specimens for our Ocean In Motion Marine Science Education Program

As we kick off our school program again this year, we’ll be looking for even more ways to get local students excited about marine science! If you happen to have any sort of specimens (e.g. shark skin & egg casings, crustacean molts, preserved fish/invertebrates, baleen, bones), we’d love to incorporate them into our program.

Earn money for SDOF when you use your Ralphs Rewards Card. It's simple to setup and each swipe helps to support our programs!

Click here to setup your Ralph's Rewards Club Card to benefit SDOF

If you set your default search browser to GoodSearch.com and select the San Diego Oceans Foundation as your charity of choice, we will receive a penny for every click! Some nonprofits make over $5,000 a year. It is simple to use and helps support our programs.

Click here to start using GoodSearch.Com!

You can sell anything you would like on eBay and a portion of your choice will be donated to support the San Diego Oceans Foundation!

Click here to find out more information!

Matching Program

When you donate to SDOF, let your company's Human Resources department know becuase they might have an Employee Matching program that would double your donation to help our programs!

We Also Need...
Desktop Printer
Floor Fan
Computer Speakers
Misc. SCUBA gear
Dock Cart(s)
Flexible/Fold-up Ladder
Red Rash Guards
Maintenance/Construction Expert
Submersible, temporary holding unit for marine life
Portable PA System
Docu-Cam
Projection Screen
Tool Kit
Organizing Supplies (tubs, bins, drawers)
Music Stand
Attorney, Nonprofit focus
Professional Organizer
Flash/Web Designer
Florist
Printing Services
Party Rental Services
Digital Photo Frames
Network Administrator
Software & Hardware Donations
Web Designer
Donation Lock Boxes

Contact us at sdoceans@sdoceans.org if you are able to help with any of these items!

Employment Opportunities

Non Paid Internships available
To apply, please send a completed application and resume to volunteer@sdoceans.org