Reef Guardian Program
What is the Reef guardians program?
The Reef Guardians Program is a year-long advanced diving and ocean conservation course for scuba-certified high school students. From September through April, you'll build on your diving skills, conduct real scientific research, participate in reef restoration, and develop your voice as an ocean advocate.
This program will make it possible to combine recreational scuba diving with professional conservation work, allowing you to obtain advanced certifications and real conservation credentials. Best of all, the entire program is completely free.
WHy should you apply?
Earn Real Credentials for Free — Get five advanced diving certifications and conservation credentials without paying anything.
Make Real Impact — Contribute to actual coral restoration projects and citizen-science data that researchers use in your local community.
Build Your College Resume — Your capstone project becomes proof that you can research independently, communicate persuasively, and take action—exactly what colleges want to see.
Log Service Hours — Complete documented community service hours through cleanups and restoration work that counts toward graduation and volunteer requirements.
Develop Leadership Skills — Present publicly, work with conservation professionals, and learn how real change happens in policy and science.
Join a Community — Connect with peers who care about the ocean and a network of mentors that extends beyond high school.
What you have to do
5 Diving Charters (one per month)
Peak Performance Buoyancy — Master advanced buoyancy control and diving technique
Coral Reef Conservation & REEFLINE Out-Planting — Participate in coral restoration projects
Project AWARE — Study ocean conservation threats and advocacy
Shark Conservation — Learn about local shark and ray species
Dive Against Debris — Conduct underwater debris surveys and cleanups
5 Enrichment Sessions
Reef Ecology & BleachWatch 101 — Learn how reefs work and citizen-science protocols
Policy & Future of Florida's Reef — Hear from conservation leaders and policymakers
Community Cleanup Day — Hands-on shoreline or mangrove cleanup
Data Workshop — Analyze the observations you've collected
Public Speaking & Messaging — Develop your capstone presentation
Final Project
Present a Triple-Impact project combining research (a finding from your own data), advocacy (a public message), and service (a conservation action you complete). This is where you bring everything together and show how science, communication, and action create real change.
Requirements
To Join:
Be a current high school student
Hold a valid scuba certification (Open Water or equivalent)
Commit to attending 85% of all events (max 2 absences out of 11)
You Should Be:
Interested in ocean science and marine conservation
Willing to learn and ask questions
Able to work as part of a team
Ready for a 9-month commitment from September–April