FWC News Release
Contact: Jennifer Rogers, 239-417-6310, ext. 232

Team OCEAN in Collier County is looking for a few good volunteers, especially those who love Florida’s coastal resources and enjoy meeting people.

The Team OCEAN program promotes marine-resources conservation in Florida while enriching the experiences of boaters, anglers and visitors in recreational saltwater activities. Team OCEAN wants volunteers who are willing to interact one-on-one with marine resources users on the water and at boat ramps, piers, docks and other high-use access points.

Volunteers are needed to serve as interpreters on the water, on islands (including Keewaydin Island), in locations such as Naples Pier and at marine events. Volunteer boat operators and office assistants are also needed.

The first volunteer training session is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13 from 6-9 p.m. at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Learning Center, 300 Tower Road in Naples. Team OCEAN volunteer training is free and open to the public. No commitment is required to attend the training; however, an interest in learning about the Team OCEAN program is required.

For more information or to RSVP for the training, call the local Team OCEAN coordinator, Jennifer Rogers, at 239-417-6310, ext. 232 or e-mail Jennifer.Rogers@MyFWC.com. Information on Rookery Bay is available at www.rookerybay.org or by calling 239-417-6310.

Partners in Collier County’s Team OCEAN include the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Program; Department of Environmental Protection, through the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Clean Marina Program; Collier County Sea Grant Agent, funded by Collier County and the University of Florida; local marinas, including funding by the Cedar Bay Yacht Club, Marine Industries Association of Collier County Inc., City of Naples, City of Marco Island and Marco Island Coast Guard Auxiliary.