26
October
2020
|
11:07 AM
Europe/Amsterdam
Keys' Coral Restoration Foundation Needs Hands-On Divers for Ordinarily 'Hands-Off' Coral Reefs
Summary
Impassioned divers return to the Florida Keys to find a deeper connection to the underwater environment, often turning a recreational hobby into productive missions to complete much-needed work during coral restoration dives.
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys - Impassioned divers return to the Florida Keys to find a deeper connection to the underwater environment, often turning a recreational hobby into productive missions to complete much-needed work during coral restoration dives.
Divers of any experience level can join Key Largo's world-renowned nonprofit Coral Restoration Foundation as a "citizen scientist" and witness firsthand how coral reefs are being revitalized and restored.
CRF continues its dive programs through November and December 2020, albeit with added COVID-19 safety protocols including smaller groups.
Recreational divers and snorkelers are encouraged to volunteer to help. CRF also has partnered with SNUBA Key West, offering nondivers the opportunity using this introductory underwater experience - a hybrid of snorkeling and diving.
Laypersons join CRF's marine scientists in unique educational workshops and informative sessions to learn ways to protect this essential resource in the Florida Keys. Afterward, divers submerge to put their newly learned skills to work.
Each dive program begins with a brief presentation about coral health, corals' function in marine ecosystems, environmental impacts on coral reefs and what the Coral Restoration Foundation and Keys-area dive centers are doing to help.
Following the morning presentation, an afternoon two-tank dive trip involves hands-on activity to help gather, prune, clean, tag and prepare corals for planting.
Participants first go to one of CRF's expansive, acre-size staghorn and elkhorn coral nurseries in the open ocean, home to over 400 coral "trees." At the second location they might visit restored reefs, help collect valuable data, assist with coral tree care or plant corals, adhering the cultivated corals to the reef using hand tools and underwater epoxy.
For upcoming November and December dive programs in coordination with Keyswide professional dive operators, visit coralrestoration.org/dive-programs.
Key Largo visitor information: fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088
Florida Keys diving information: fla-keys.com/diving
Social: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube • Keys Voices blog
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Divers of any experience level can join Key Largo's world-renowned nonprofit Coral Restoration Foundation as a "citizen scientist" and witness firsthand how coral reefs are being revitalized and restored.
CRF continues its dive programs through November and December 2020, albeit with added COVID-19 safety protocols including smaller groups.
Recreational divers and snorkelers are encouraged to volunteer to help. CRF also has partnered with SNUBA Key West, offering nondivers the opportunity using this introductory underwater experience - a hybrid of snorkeling and diving.
Laypersons join CRF's marine scientists in unique educational workshops and informative sessions to learn ways to protect this essential resource in the Florida Keys. Afterward, divers submerge to put their newly learned skills to work.
Each dive program begins with a brief presentation about coral health, corals' function in marine ecosystems, environmental impacts on coral reefs and what the Coral Restoration Foundation and Keys-area dive centers are doing to help.
Following the morning presentation, an afternoon two-tank dive trip involves hands-on activity to help gather, prune, clean, tag and prepare corals for planting.
Participants first go to one of CRF's expansive, acre-size staghorn and elkhorn coral nurseries in the open ocean, home to over 400 coral "trees." At the second location they might visit restored reefs, help collect valuable data, assist with coral tree care or plant corals, adhering the cultivated corals to the reef using hand tools and underwater epoxy.
For upcoming November and December dive programs in coordination with Keyswide professional dive operators, visit coralrestoration.org/dive-programs.
Key Largo visitor information: fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088
Florida Keys diving information: fla-keys.com/diving
Social: Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube • Keys Voices blog
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