Taylor Harris named Green Diver Man of the Year
Taylor Harris is named Green Diver an of the Year!! His Artificial Reef Project in Pasco County Florida has brought in $341 so far. This is a two-year project working with Pasco County. He is planning a fundraising auction to be held on November 7th. For more information on the auction click here. A letter of intent has been submitted for the Disney Conservation Fund Grant of $50,000. Working with Florida Fish and Wildlife a grant will be applied for in 2021 and in 2022 each for $60,000 toward the Artificial Reef.
Taylor says, "I have always had a deep passion for the ocean ever since I can remember. I got even more obsessed with the ocean when I was a junior in high school and took a course in marine biology. I then did whatever I could to learn more about earths last frontier. While on this journey I started to realize how easily it is to do harm to the ocean in everyday life. I then changed my ways (and some of my friends and family) to reduce harm towards the ocean. Currently I am a NAUI certified diver. I work at Hurly's We Adventures Scuba Shop and Gilldawg Restaurant & Marina located in Pasco County, Florida. In Florida alone 35 percent of the reefs have been destroyed. Since humans are responsible for the destruction of these reefs then it is up to us to bring them back. I am on my way to help create an artificial reef in Pasco County, Florida because there is no better way to help wildlife then to create a sustainable habitat. The other reason is to create an attractive and art inspired reef to create awareness and communicate reef issues to the general public. The bonus is that it will be a great spot for snorkeling and diving and increase tourism to Pasco County."
Taylor says, "I have always had a deep passion for the ocean ever since I can remember. I got even more obsessed with the ocean when I was a junior in high school and took a course in marine biology. I then did whatever I could to learn more about earths last frontier. While on this journey I started to realize how easily it is to do harm to the ocean in everyday life. I then changed my ways (and some of my friends and family) to reduce harm towards the ocean. Currently I am a NAUI certified diver. I work at Hurly's We Adventures Scuba Shop and Gilldawg Restaurant & Marina located in Pasco County, Florida. In Florida alone 35 percent of the reefs have been destroyed. Since humans are responsible for the destruction of these reefs then it is up to us to bring them back. I am on my way to help create an artificial reef in Pasco County, Florida because there is no better way to help wildlife then to create a sustainable habitat. The other reason is to create an attractive and art inspired reef to create awareness and communicate reef issues to the general public. The bonus is that it will be a great spot for snorkeling and diving and increase tourism to Pasco County."
Manatee Public Beach Clean Up ~ 8/22/20
80+ pounds collected
Thank you to Steve Grewell from Compressed Adventures for coordinating the beach clean up at Manatee Public Beach!!
Pic 1: being precise
Pic 2: group pic
Pic 3: Maya and Noah won "most collected"
Pic 4: Rae being awesome!
Pic 5: 80+ lbs collected
JJwon "most unique find" and Hayden won "heaviest haul"!
Pic 1: being precise
Pic 2: group pic
Pic 3: Maya and Noah won "most collected"
Pic 4: Rae being awesome!
Pic 5: 80+ lbs collected
JJwon "most unique find" and Hayden won "heaviest haul"!
St. Pete Open Spearfishing Tournament ~ 8/15/20
Green Diver Initiative attended the St. Pete Open and had a display promoting the removal of lionfish and the fact that they are edible and delicious. We now have a lionfish shirt available – if interested, email mlewis@greendiver.org.
A total of 118 Lionfish were turned in from 37 shooters. The largest Lionfish was 453 millimetres (17.835 inches) and weighed 1359 grams - almost 3 pounds! The average size for an adult Lionfish is between 11.8 to 15 inches and the usual weight is up to 2.6 pounds. This was one big guy! The winner of the Lionfish division was Brent Booth.
A total of 118 Lionfish were turned in from 37 shooters. The largest Lionfish was 453 millimetres (17.835 inches) and weighed 1359 grams - almost 3 pounds! The average size for an adult Lionfish is between 11.8 to 15 inches and the usual weight is up to 2.6 pounds. This was one big guy! The winner of the Lionfish division was Brent Booth.
Venice Marina Clean Up, Florida ~ 8/15/20 ~
1,250 pounds of trash
Venice Inlet North Jetty, Florida ~ 8/8/20 ~
515 pounds of trash
August 8, 2020 - Venice Inlet North Jetty, FL - Clean Up event - Hosted by Ken Lackmann and the SunCoast Reef Rovers. Arrival was between 8:45 am and 9 am. Safety briefing at 9:30 am. Divers were in water at 10 am and out by 11:45 am. There were divers, topside help, snorkelers and kiackers). After the event donuts, fruit, water and OJ were served.
Chapman Lake Clean Up ~ Brandon, FL ~ 8/1/20 ~ 121 lbs of trash removed
August 1, 2020 - Clean Up at Chapman Lake in Brandon, Florida. Chapman Lake is located at the Rotary Camp Florida. The camp is a barrier-free camp for special needs groups. For information on the camp please click here. This clean up is sponsored by The Brandon Rotary Club. Thank you to DAN (Divers Alert Network) for donating the First Aid Kit and Home Depot for donating the buckets and trowels. Partnering with Green Diver Initiative on this event is the Florida Aquarium. Thank you to Chris Tomlinson (Assistant Dive Safety Officer) and Melissa Dude (Volunteer Program Manager) for coordinating the entire event. There was a total of 6 divers and 1 top side helper and 1 intern with the aquarium. Also in attendance was Liz Fields, Executive Director of the camp: Tony Molina, the camp Maintenance Manager; and Maria Lewis, Camp Board of Directors President and Executive Director of Green Diver. 121 pounds of trash were removed from the lake including a generator, a long metal pole, a 6 foot piece of metal, a tape measure, a hand power drill, a golf ball and much more! The divers were lowered into the water on the electric boat ramp. This was the first time the new boat ramp was used. Three days earlier a 6 foot alligator was spotted in the lake, but thankfully he did not bother us on this day!!
Gasparilla Bead Clean Up ~ Tampa Bay, FL ~ 2/15/20 ~
310 lbs of trash removed
The Green Diver Initiative in partnership with the Florida Aquarium, Green Gasparilla and Calypso Dive Center hosted another clean up on Tampa Bay. There were 60 water and land volunteers. They collected 310 pounds of debris, of which 38 pounds were Gasparilla Beads. They separated out the recyclables from the regular trash. The most unusual item was a wallet that looked like it had been down in the Bay for quite some time and still filled with credit cards, a blockbuster card and an ID. It was found by Hunter Chamberland who will return it to its rightful owner. The most hazardous items were fishing hooks and were found by Dave Grenda. The heaviest item was a scooter which was pulled out of the water by Eric Lax. Some other items found were a tackle box, base balls, traffic cones, a dive fin, bike seat, fishing line, bottles, cans, buckets, buoy, 6 foot PVC pipe, metal traffic signs, a car bumper and milk crates. Thank you to McDonald's (Caspar Company) for donating breakfast sandwiches.
GaspOur Beads Clean Up ~ Tampa Bay, FL ~ 2/2/20
1,629 lbs of trash removed
On February 2, 2020 the 4th Annual GaspOur Beads Clean Up Event was Hosted by Next Level Dive Club, the Center for Open Exploration (C4OE) and Green Diver Initiative. The event was from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm and drew 180 volunteers both on land and water. It began at the Davis Island Boat Ramp and ended at Marjorie Park. Breakfast was provided by McDonald's (Caspers Company). After the clean up there was the weighing of the debris - which totaled 1,629 pounds. Awards were given out in several categories such as the heaviest item, which was a scooter; the coolest item, which was a mini bike; the most hazardous item, which was a gun (turned over to the Tampa Police Department); the coolest dress-up team, which had a tie between the Bead Slayers and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium; the youngest diver, who was 14; and the oldest diver who was 63. The Bearded Barbecue served lunch and there was a bouncy house for the children. Everyone who attended was given a ticket and a drawing was held for prizes. Thank you to Spectrum News Channel 9, News Channel 8 and FOX 13 News for covering the event!! Congratulations and a BIG THANK YOU to Mica Neal for coordinating this event!!
Employee Giving Program 2020
In January, the NAUI Employee Giving Program benefiting Green Diver Initiative was held. On the 24th, Green Diver Initiative held an appreciation breakfast for the multiple donors. With a total of 18 of the employees donating to the Giving Program, they together raised a total of $2,854 for the 2020 year!
A BIG THANK YOU to the NAUI employees: Aubrie, Beth, Chris, Jack, Jenny, Kris, Lori, Maddison, Maria, Matt, Richard, Rick, Robyn, Savannah, Shannon, Tim, Terrence and Todd!
There were enough donated prizes for each employee to win something in the drawing. Thank you to the following companies for donating the prizes: Beef O'Brady's, on Kings in Brandon; Buffalo Wild Wings, of Brandon; Bob Evan's, in Seffner; Ford's Garage, - Brandon; The Green Boutique, Plaza Bella in Valrico; Shrimp Boat Grille, Plaza Bella in Valrico; The Popcorn Stop, in Riverview Centre on South 301; The Wing House, of Brandon; and Toffee To Go, in Tampa.
A BIG THANK YOU to the NAUI employees: Aubrie, Beth, Chris, Jack, Jenny, Kris, Lori, Maddison, Maria, Matt, Richard, Rick, Robyn, Savannah, Shannon, Tim, Terrence and Todd!
There were enough donated prizes for each employee to win something in the drawing. Thank you to the following companies for donating the prizes: Beef O'Brady's, on Kings in Brandon; Buffalo Wild Wings, of Brandon; Bob Evan's, in Seffner; Ford's Garage, - Brandon; The Green Boutique, Plaza Bella in Valrico; Shrimp Boat Grille, Plaza Bella in Valrico; The Popcorn Stop, in Riverview Centre on South 301; The Wing House, of Brandon; and Toffee To Go, in Tampa.
Watershead Enhancement Plan -
Clackamas High School, Clackamas, Oregon
Began Fall 2019 and lasted the school year
Students in Rod Shroufe's (NAUI 55930) AP Environmental Science and Environmental Science class are participating in a Green Diver Event by kicking off a watershed enhancement plan in their community. The students have been studying the relationship between watershed health and its connection to the ocean health. Focus for the unit will be the native salmon and lamprey and their direct connection to both marine and forest health as well as the sustenance of the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. As part of the class' philosophy that learning is enhanced through the Stewardship Model, the class has adopted an area at the headwaters of a stream that directly drains to salmonid and lamprey bearing streams. The project has 4 phases, pictured is the progression of Phase 1, the removal of roughly a half acre of the invasive Himalayan blackberry. This plant along with many other invasives limit habitat diversity by taking over an area as well as increase erosion in the area by having a uniform root depth. Pictured are members of the classes some of whom are participation in their NAUI Open Water Scuba training. Phase 2 will be planting a diversity over 400 native plants on the site. Finally mulching the trees in the spring to keep the soil moist and reducing weed competition (phase 3) followed by general site maintenance involving replacing trees that don't survive their first year and keeping the blackberries from reclaiming the areas while the native plants are allowed to grow and reclaim the site (Phase 4). Native plants provide the habitat requirements for native wildlife including salmon and lampreys.
Miss Scuba International ~ November 16, 2019
Every year the contestants in Miss Scuba International contest participate in a beach cleanup.These photos were taken this mid November. The beach is at Sipadan Mabul Resort (SMART) on Mabul island. The contestants were at Mabul Water Bungalows, which is owned by Sipadan Mabul Resort, for training.
One of the photos shows the trash pile in front of the group. That would be one-year's accumulation. The contestants clean the beach every year.
The contest was won by Michaela Shuttleworth, Miss Australia, a marine science student. First Runner-up was Miss Indonesia, second Runner-up was Miss Philippines. Fifth Place was Miss USA, Rachel Cushman, NAUI Instructor 58301, an Assistant Dive Safety Officer at Aquarium of the Pacific, Laguna Beach.
Miss Scuba international was originally founded in 2011 with an environmental emphasis in hopes that, "by sharing the beauty and wonders of the underwater world via beauty queens, it will enable more people to understand how fragile our oceans are and how much more we all need to play our individual little roles to make a big difference in protecting it."
For more information click here.
One of the photos shows the trash pile in front of the group. That would be one-year's accumulation. The contestants clean the beach every year.
The contest was won by Michaela Shuttleworth, Miss Australia, a marine science student. First Runner-up was Miss Indonesia, second Runner-up was Miss Philippines. Fifth Place was Miss USA, Rachel Cushman, NAUI Instructor 58301, an Assistant Dive Safety Officer at Aquarium of the Pacific, Laguna Beach.
Miss Scuba international was originally founded in 2011 with an environmental emphasis in hopes that, "by sharing the beauty and wonders of the underwater world via beauty queens, it will enable more people to understand how fragile our oceans are and how much more we all need to play our individual little roles to make a big difference in protecting it."
For more information click here.
Green Diver Auction 2019 was a success!!
Rainbow River Clean Up ~ Dunnellon, FL ~ Oct 26, 2019
Rainbow River Clean Up Event was such a success. A big thank you to Chris Harris from Brandon Scuba who coordinated the event and Mike Weekly, Dive Master, who was our Safety Diver. We had 16 divers and 1 Kayaker - Herman, Donovan, Kerry, Stephanie, Emily, Jaylene, Marcus, Jon, Brenda, Frank, Phil, Chris, Levi, Amanda and Darlene - thank you all!! Forty pounds of trash was removed from the area starting at the K.P. Hole and ending at the Rainbow Springs State Park. Thank you to the McDonalds in Dunnellen for donating the breakfast sandwiches and to the Rainbow River Water Taxi for donating the pontoon boat shuttle service for everyone to get back up river. The Largest item was a towel found by Brenda, the most dangerous item was a knife found also by Brenda and the must unusual item was a pipe found by Phil. The winners of the raffle where Donovan - dive necklace; Becca - Green Diver t-shit; John - Green Diver water bottle; and Emily won the big prize - $50 gift certificate to Brandon Scuba!
St. Petersburg Science Festival - October 18, 2019
The St. Petersburg Science Festival was a great hit with the kids! The Green Diver booth focused on micro-plastics and how long it takes items to biodegrade in the ocean. The other topic we touched on was the invasive Lionfish that are in the waters surrounding Florida and how we can help to control them. Thank you to Brandon Scuba for letting us borrow the speargun and to Florida Fish and Wildlife for the Marine Alphabet Coloring Books and Lionfish information.
ADAPTIVE DIVING ASSOCIATION - OCEAN CLEANUP in Roatan Honduras - September 28 -October 5, 2019
Adaptive Diving Association sponsored a diving event utilizing NAUI trained ADAPTIVE DIVERS to assist in the reef cleanup in Roatan Honduras .
28 NAUI divers converged on the island , including The Worlds First Female Quadruple Amputee on INDEPENDENT SCUBA and 6 Spinal Cord Injury wheelchair using Adaptive Divers. Adaptive Diving Association utilized an entirely new and unique safe system to give Adaptive divers access to the dive boats with specially designed floating three wheel beach chairs. In addition ADA designed and installed cranes on the dive boats allowing the adaptive divers to be lifted to and from each dive location via specially designed body harnesses worn under their BCD . This allowed safe access to and from the dive boats rather than the practice of dragging adaptive individuals out of the water with the potential of injury. During these dives Adaptive Divers recovered and assisted in the recovery of hundreds of pounds of debris off the pristine reefs of Roatan.
This program was developed as a "GIVE BACK"" by the Adaptive divers to show their appreciation for the freedom that was given by NAUI and ADAPTIVE DIVING ASSOCIATION.
28 NAUI divers converged on the island , including The Worlds First Female Quadruple Amputee on INDEPENDENT SCUBA and 6 Spinal Cord Injury wheelchair using Adaptive Divers. Adaptive Diving Association utilized an entirely new and unique safe system to give Adaptive divers access to the dive boats with specially designed floating three wheel beach chairs. In addition ADA designed and installed cranes on the dive boats allowing the adaptive divers to be lifted to and from each dive location via specially designed body harnesses worn under their BCD . This allowed safe access to and from the dive boats rather than the practice of dragging adaptive individuals out of the water with the potential of injury. During these dives Adaptive Divers recovered and assisted in the recovery of hundreds of pounds of debris off the pristine reefs of Roatan.
This program was developed as a "GIVE BACK"" by the Adaptive divers to show their appreciation for the freedom that was given by NAUI and ADAPTIVE DIVING ASSOCIATION.
Suncoast Spearfishing Challenge - September 29,2019
Catching Lionfish in the East Mediterranean Sea in Lebanon with Alain Sassine - September 22, 2019
The lionfish were caught last Sunday September 22, 2019 in a town called Amchit North of Beirut – Lebanon. Sahar Lakkis, NAUI instructor and her Brother Samer Lakkis, NAUI Divematser from Xiphias Dive Center make lionfish hunting their daily task. The tool they are using is the Hawaiian Sling. On that day Alain Sassine, Regional Representative for NAUI and Green Diver Initiative Volunteer was with them. They caught 10 - 12 Kgs (22 - 27 lbs) of all sizes. Their daily hunt is never less than 5-6 Kgs (11 - 13 lbs). They also managed to make a deal with the region seafood restaurants to buy their lionfish and serve it to clients who are loving the taste of lionfish more and more.
Round Valley Reservoir Clean Up, Clinton Township in Hunterdon County , New Jersey - September 21, 2019
Thank you to Frank Rakowski of Scuba Connection who Chaired this clean up project through the Green Diver Initiative. 22 volunteers as well as park staff participated in what is believed to be the first organized clean-up at the Round Valley Reservoir in Lebanon NJ. The event was hosted by Scuba Connection and sponsored by ADR NJ Services. Food for the event was donated by Alon Frumer. The reservoir which is approximately 2000 acres has a max depth of 180ft and has a capacity of 55 billion gallons of water. Round Valley is a unique recreation area in the heart of New Jersey and offers visitors hiking, camping, boating, fishing and of course scuba diving and snorkeling. The park has a carry-in/ carry-out program yet garbage still ends up in the water which requires cleaning up.
The volunteers came from all areas of the state and consisted of college students from Bergen Community College, Montclair University, volunteer firemen from both Liberty Corner and Montclair, local residents (many of which were only recently introduced to diving at this park), and of course members of the Scuba Connection Dive Team. As this was a smaller group, all volunteers played a critical role. Of the 22 volunteers only 15 were divers which were broken up into 7 teams and covered approximately 33 acres. The remaining monitored the diver’s safety from the water as well as the shoreline. Working in an area that was less than 2% of the entire size of the reservoir the teams recovered nearly 600lbs of bottles, cans, fishing equipment, miscellaneous plastic containers and wrappers, camping equipment as well as a few unique items like street signs, motor parts, and wheel rims. As the debris piled up at the staging area near a boat ramp that was used mostly by campers and visitors with kayaks and canoes, those that passed by as well as park staff were shocked by what they saw.
Leigh Germann, the parks superintendent was extremely grateful for our efforts and has invited us to keep going until the reservoir is clean. The Scuba Connection Dive Team with the support of the NAUI Green Diver Initiative intends to do just that!
The volunteers came from all areas of the state and consisted of college students from Bergen Community College, Montclair University, volunteer firemen from both Liberty Corner and Montclair, local residents (many of which were only recently introduced to diving at this park), and of course members of the Scuba Connection Dive Team. As this was a smaller group, all volunteers played a critical role. Of the 22 volunteers only 15 were divers which were broken up into 7 teams and covered approximately 33 acres. The remaining monitored the diver’s safety from the water as well as the shoreline. Working in an area that was less than 2% of the entire size of the reservoir the teams recovered nearly 600lbs of bottles, cans, fishing equipment, miscellaneous plastic containers and wrappers, camping equipment as well as a few unique items like street signs, motor parts, and wheel rims. As the debris piled up at the staging area near a boat ramp that was used mostly by campers and visitors with kayaks and canoes, those that passed by as well as park staff were shocked by what they saw.
Leigh Germann, the parks superintendent was extremely grateful for our efforts and has invited us to keep going until the reservoir is clean. The Scuba Connection Dive Team with the support of the NAUI Green Diver Initiative intends to do just that!
Apollo Beach Preserve Clean Up - September 21, 2019
A great big thanks to Co-Captains Joe Marzilli, Melissa Dude and Chris Tomlinson. As part of the Great American Clean up day, several entities were involved in making this clean up happen. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful was the leader of the project with The Florida Aquarium, Green Diver Initiative, Citigroup "Green Team" volunteers and many other volunteers and divers from the community. 185 volunteers signed up for this event. We would also like to thank McDonalds (Caspers Company) for providing the breakfast sandwiches for the volunteers.
St. Pete Open - St. Petersburg, Florida
August 17, 2019
Force Blue Turtle Mission
August 2019
Click here to see the full video of the Turtle Mission.