Deepwater Conservation Initiative

Only one spot remains for our November AAUS Scientific Diver Course with Keys Marine Laboratory! Grab it before it is gone!

This is required training for research and conservation science including organizations such as NOAA, NPS, and multiple universities across the United States. Join us for a great week focusing on the Florida Reef Tract and open the door to your marine science career.

Follow the link to reserve this last available spot: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/event-details-registration/register-aaus-scientific-diver-course

Deepwater Weekly Update 🌊

This week we wrapped up our aquatic invasive species field season here in the Mountain West — huge thanks to everyone who joined us in the water, on the shoreline, and behind the scenes. Your work helps protect the waterways we’re building this expansion around.

Meanwhile, our team in the Keys is gearing up for the AAUS Scientific Diver Certification course November 8–15 at Keys Marine Laboratory. Prep dives, gear checks, curriculum updates — it’s all coming together, and we can’t wait to train the next wave of scientific divers. Visit our website to learn more or reserve one of the last three spots for this course!

Thanks for being part of this mission across the country and two interconnected ecosystems.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR OUR NOVEMBER AAUS SCIENTIFIC DIVER COURSE!

Submit a deposit to secure a spot in our November course through the link below. Registration will also open on the website today. The link also contains additional information on the course. The deposit is non-refundable. Prior to submitting your deposit:

Pre-requisite for this course is an Open Water Scuba certification or higher from an internationally recognized agency (PADI, NAUI, SSI, etc.).

Divers must complete a watermanship skills test and open water skills evaluation on the first day of class to be eligible to participate in the open water portions of the course.

Students must submit an AAUS medical evaluation signed by a physician prior to the beginning of class.

This is a condensed course and a very intense week of diving. Due to the nature of the course, make-ups for missing portions of the course will not be available. The current schedule is attached to this email.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Open positions for this course are limited.

https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/event-details-registration/register-aaus-scientific-diver-course

We look forward to seeing you at Keys Marine Laboratory!

EXCITING NEWS! WE HAVE FINALIZED OUR NOVEMBER 8 SCIENTIFIC DIVER COURSE!

More than a certification course—this is an immersive scientific diving experience in the Florida Keys.

Spend a week (7 nights) November 8-15 living at the Keys Marine Laboratory with conservation dive experts as you work toward your AAUS Scientific Diver certification. You will gain hands-on experience in the skills and practices used by scientific divers.

Your $2790 trip fee includes:

Seven nights of on site lodging at Keys Marine Laboratory. Each dorm has a full shared kitchen and multiple bathrooms.
Steps away from the Long Key Bar & Grill, open at 7:30 every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Diving, course instruction, and other planned activities.
Course topics include AAUS history and standards, diving physics, diving physiology, diver rescue, data sampling and collection techniques, and dive environments and planning.
AAUS Scientific Dive certification (assuming all requirements are met).

Airfare to and from the Florida Keys is not included. Dive gear rental is not included.

You must be 18 years or older to participate in this certification.

Candidates are required to complete a watermanship skills test conducted at the beginning of the course to continue to the practical open water training dives. The watermanship test includes a 400yd swim in 12 minutes or less, 25yd swim underwater on one breath, 10 minute tread water, and a 25yd victim tow.

Reservation requires a $500 non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure. Reservations will open on Friday, September 25th on our Get Involved page: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved

Space is extremely limited.

🌎 Environmental Insight of the Week: Why Local Actions Matter for Global Waters

Healthy oceans and freshwater systems aren’t just shaped by what happens on the coast — they’re shaped by every watershed, every community, and every choice we make upstream.

Across the U.S., rising water temperatures, nutrient pollution, and habitat loss are accelerating stress on coral reefs, rivers, and wetlands. Scientists estimate that over 40% of U.S. waterways show signs of ecological decline, and warming seas continue to push coral reefs toward bleaching events. These trends aren’t distant problems — they’re unfolding right now.

But here’s the part that matters: Local conservation efforts are one of the most effective ways to slow that decline. Restoration dives, invasive species management, water quality monitoring, and community education all create measurable improvements in ecosystem resilience.

Every volunteer hour, every training, every restoration project adds up. When communities act, ecosystems recover.

Protecting our waters starts with the people who love them. Learn more about ways you can support Rockies to the Reef at www.deepwaterconservation.org

Looking for AAUS Scientific Diver Training? Deepwater has the solution!

Customized AAUS Scientific Diver training is now available through Deepwater Conservation Initiative. For programs who want focused instruction, accelerated skill development, and direct mentorship in research grade diving, our private courses deliver the highest level of training we offer.

Build the skills used in real conservation work — from data collection to underwater navigation to rescue readiness — with a schedule tailored to you. Multiple field modules available.

DM or email us at [email protected] to begin your private training track for your institution.

Deepwater has a new way to help you rep the mission.

Our shop page is officially live — featuring environmentally conscious apparel designed for ocean lovers, freshwater protectors, and everyone who believes conservation should look good and do good.

Every purchase supports coral restoration dives in Key Largo and our expanding conservation programs in the mountain west. We are making an impact from the Rockies to the Reef.

🌊💙 Wear your impact.

Explore the new shop: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/shop?page=2

🌊 Bear Lake AIS Dive — August 15

On August 15, Deepwater’s scientific dive team headed to the brilliant blue waters of Bear Lake, Utah for a full day of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) observations. With quagga mussels threatening waters across the West, early detection and consistent monitoring are essential — and our divers are committed to protecting these iconic ecosystems.

From shoreline surveys to underwater substrate checks, our team documented conditions, collected data, and strengthened the regional network of AIS prevention efforts. Every observation helps safeguard recreation, local economies, and the health of the Colorado River Basin.

📍 Location: Bear Lake, Utah
🔎 Focus: AIS monitoring, early detection observations, diver led documentation
🤿 Team: Deepwater scientific divers + community partners

Protecting our waters takes all of us. Follow along as we share what we found — and how you can support AIS prevention across the region.

Become an AAUS Scientific Diver this November in Key Largo!

Deepwater Conservation Initiative is hosting our next certification course November 8–15 at Ocean First Key Largo, and we’re opening spots for divers ready to turn their skills into real conservation impact.

This intensive training blends research diving techniques, rescue readiness, field science, and hands on restoration — this training is required for most State, Federal, and University marine science programs.

If you’re ready to dive with purpose, join us in Key Largo this fall.

Limited spots • Apply now: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/event-details-registration/aaus-scientific-diver-certification-3

Diving to Protect from the Rockies to the Reef

Use your skills as an open water diver to help protect our local waterways. Whether you just received your certification or a seasoned diver with hundreds of dives, we welcome you to join us in tracking aquatic invasive species in the Mountain West.

Help our team finish strong this summer by joining us at Bear Lake this Saturday, August 15th, for an organized quagga and zebra observation dive. Your observations help the State of Utah track the spread of these invasive species.

To learn more about this Saturday or other upcoming events, visit our website: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved

Protecting our watersheds in the Rockies also has direct impacts on our favorite reefs – this is our Rockies to the Reef initiative.