Deepwater Conservation Initiative

Deepwater Conservation Initiative — Rockies to the Reef

This week, our team is out in the Mountain West monitoring lakes and reservoirs for early signs of aquatic invasive species while our divers in Key Largo continue hands on coral restoration. Two very different ecosystems, one shared mission: protecting the waters that sustain us all.

Every observation logged, every coral fragment planted, every volunteer who shows up — it all adds up to real, measurable impact.

If you believe in healthy waterways and thriving reefs, now’s the perfect time to get involved by supporting our Rockies to the Reef campaign.

💧 Volunteer locally. Visit our Get Involved page to learn more: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved
🐠 Join a restoration expedition
🌎 Support our conservation through donation: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/donate

Together, we’re building a future where freshwater and ocean ecosystems can thrive.

Lake Powell: Aquatic Invasive Species Observation Day — May 30

Lake Powell is one of the most iconic waters in the West — and one of the most vulnerable. On May 30, Deepwater Conservation Initiative is heading out for a dedicated Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Observation Day, documenting signs of quagga mussels and other threats that impact ecosystems, infrastructure, and recreation across the Colorado River Basin. This is a unique opportunity to see invasive quagga mussel beds.

This work matters. Every observation helps protect the waterways millions depend on.

📅 Date: May 30 8:00AM
📍 Location: Lake Powell Bullfrog Marina
🔎 Focus: Quagga Mussel Observation and Recording

From divers and boaters to shoreline stewards, everyone has a role in protecting our waters. Follow along as we share what we find — and how you can help keep invasive species from spreading.

To learn more or join us this Saturday, register on our website: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/event-details-registration/organized-ais-observation-lake-powell

Protecting the Reef Starts With Every Dive

Coral Restoration Foundation™ just released a fantastic article on scuba skills that actively protect coral reefs, and it’s a must read for anyone who spends time underwater.

At Deepwater Conservation Initiative, these are the same mindful techniques we teach and practice on every restoration dive — because the way we move, hover, and interact underwater directly shapes the health of the ecosystems we love.

💙 From perfecting buoyancy
💙 To maintaining streamlined gear
💙 To choosing thoughtful entry and exit techniques

…small skills add up to big impact for reef recovery.

If you’re joining us in Key Largo this summer — or dreaming about future restoration dives — this is the perfect primer.

🔗 Read the full article from Coral Restoration Foundation™: https://coralrestoration.org/scuba-diving-skills-that-protect-coral-reefs/

Together, we’re building a community of divers who restore, protect, and respect the ocean with every fin kick.

Scuba Diving Skills That Protect Coral Reefs - Coral Restoration Foundation Becoming a better diver also means becoming a better steward of the ocean, helping preserve coral reefs for future generations.

Diving Season Starts NOW — We’re Getting to Work Beneath the Surface

The water is warming, the gear is prepped, and our team is ready to dive back into the ecosystems we love and protect. Deepwater Conservation Initiative’s 2026 diving season is officially kicking off on May 30th, and we couldn’t be more energized for the restoration, research, and community impact ahead.

From coral nurseries in Key Largo to freshwater conservation and scientific diving programs across the Mountain West, every dive this season brings us closer to healthier, more resilient waters.

Whether you’re joining us underwater, supporting from shore, or cheering on the mission from afar — you’re part of this movement.

Let’s make 2026 a season of bold action, thriving reefs, and unforgettable dives.

💙🐠 Here’s to the first giant stride of the year.

Learn more about our offerings this summer on our website: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved

This Thursday: Protect & Detect with Ocean First!

Colorado friends — we’re just days away from our hands on aquatic invasive species training and community social, and we can’t wait to see you there.

Our waterways are under pressure, and informed stewards make all the difference. On Thursday, you’ll learn how to identify, report, and prevent the spread of quagga mussels, zebra mussels, and other high risk invaders threatening Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs.

Then we’ll unwind together with a relaxed social to celebrate the start of the season and the people who make this work possible.

📅 This Thursday, May 14
🤝 Hosted with: Ocean First
📍 Location: 637 S Broadway, Boulder, Colorado
⏰ Time: 6:30PM-9:30PM
🎉 Community social to follow

Whether you’re a diver, paddler, angler, or simply someone who loves Colorado’s waters, your voice and vigilance matter.

Let’s protect the places we love — together.

Protect & Detect: Join Us May 14th with Ocean First!

Colorado’s waterways need informed stewards — and on May 14th, we’re teaming up with Ocean First for a powerful Protect & Detect training designed to help our community identify, report, and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Whether you’re a diver, paddler, angler, or just someone who cares deeply about the health of our lakes and rivers, this training gives you the tools to make a real impact. Afterward, stick around for a relaxed community social to connect with fellow conservation minded Coloradans.

📅 Date: Thursday, May 14
🤝 Hosted by: Ocean First
📍 Location: 637 S. Broadway, Boulder Colorado
⏰ Time: 6:30–9:30 PM
🎉 Social to follow — all are welcome!

Together, we can protect the waters that sustain us — one trained observer at a time.

Happy Earth Week!

This Earth Week, we’re celebrating the waters that shape every part of our lives — the rivers and lakes we walk beside, the oceans we explore, and the reefs that inspire us to keep fighting for a healthier planet.

At Deepwater Conservation Initiative, our work spans all waterways:

• The Mountain West, where we safeguard freshwater ecosystems and stop invasive species before they spread

• Key Largo, where our divers restore coral reefs one fragment at a time

• The Pacific Coast, where we support research to understand this critical ecosystem

Different landscapes, one mission: protect the waters that connect us all. If you believe in clean rivers, thriving reefs, and a future where communities lead conservation, you’re already part of this story.

Happy Earth Week. Let’s keep the water moving in the right direction.

🌴 Only TWO Spots Left for Our Coral Restoration Expedition!

We’re down to the final two openings for our Coral Restoration Expedition in Key Largo, Florida, and we’d love to fill them with people who care about our ocean as much as you do.

For one week, participants will:
🌊 Restore threatened coral reefs
🤿 Learn hands‑on scientific diving and restoration techniques
🐠 Dive in the Florida Keys
💙 Join a passionate, mission‑driven conservation community

📅 July 26 – August 1, 2026
💵 $1,750 (includes lodging, training, in‑Key‑Largo transportation, and breakfast)

If you—or someone you know—has been looking for a meaningful way to support ocean conservation, this is a rare chance to make a real, lasting impact.

👉 Learn more or grab one of the last spots: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved
💬 Tag a friend who should join you!

Colorado Field Season Is Almost Here — And We Need Your Support

Colorado’s waters are facing a growing threat from aquatic invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels. This spring and summer, Deepwater Conservation Initiative is launching our statewide AIS observation and monitoring season — training volunteers, surveying high risk lakes and reservoirs, and building the data Colorado needs to protect its waterways.

But to make this work possible, we need help from the community that cares about these waters as much as we do.

Your donation directly supports:

• Field kits for AIS monitoring
• Training for volunteers and future scientific divers
• Travel to high priority lakes and reservoirs
• Data collection that protects Colorado’s water future

Colorado depends on clean, healthy water — for people, wildlife, recreation, and the ecosystems that hold this state together. With your support, we can scale this program and keep invasive species from taking hold.

If you believe in protecting Colorado’s waters, now is the moment to act.
💙 Donate today: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/donate
💧 Learn more: deepwaterconservation.org

We have posted our first AIS observation dates on the Front Range!

But we need your help.

Deepwater Conservation Initiative is expanding into the Rockies — building a statewide conservation program and launching Colorado’s first community‑driven AAUS scientific diving program. This is a huge step toward protecting the rivers, reservoirs, and alpine ecosystems that millions rely on.

But to make it real, we need partners who believe in hands‑on science, community action, and protecting the waters that sustain us.

Your support today helps us:

• Train the next generation of scientific divers
• Restore freshwater habitats across the state
• Equip volunteers with the tools to collect real ecological data
• Build a conservation program rooted in community, science, and impact

This is the moment where your contribution truly matters.

If you believe Colorado deserves healthy waterways and a stronger conservation future, we’d be honored to have you with us.

Donate. Share. Get involved.

Together, we can build something powerful for Colorado’s waters.

➡️ Donate here: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/donate

➡️ Learn more at deepwaterconservation.org