IN PROGRESS…

EVENTS

Getting involved has never been more fun!  I help run various public outreach events for South Beach Divers, and for the nonprofits Debris Free Oceans & Rescue a Reef. These events include but are not limited to

• Conservation-focused dive trips: reef cleanups, coral restoration dives, Lionfish derbies, and shark conservation dives

• Exciting cleanup events: bar crawl pick-ups, SCUBA & snorkel cleanups, and Keg n' Klean beach cleanups

• Other fun outreach and fundraiser events: eco-fashion shows, tap takeovers, and movie screenings

See below for a list of past events that I have helped to organize and/or lead. Follow South Beach Divers, Debris Free Oceans and Rescue a Reef on Facebook to see upcoming events as they are posted, and email me at m.kaufman6@umiami.edu to be put on email lists and be the first to find out about future events. 

DIVE AGAINST DEBRIS: DEBRIS FREE OCEANS x BASE MIAMI

AUGUST 12, 2018 

Organized and ran a two-tank reef cleanup with Hillel International - Base Miami.

Removed 5 lbs of debris from the reef, including a lot of entangling monofilament line. Debris data was collected and submitted to PADI Project Aware and Southeast Florida Action Network.

Educated participants about marine debris and provided them with their own cleanup kits (mesh bags, gloves and shears) to continue cleaning the reef on their own.

8TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REEF CLEANUP: SOUTH BEACH DIVERS

july 29th, 2018

Organized and ran a one-tank reef cleanup at Jose Cuervo Reef, as part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Coral Reef Conservation Program's (FDEP CRCP) 8th Annual Southeast Florida Reef Cleanup. 

PADI Ambassadiver Alexandra Baackes and photographer Heather Holt documented the event.

Removed 123 lbs of debris from the reef with 25 divers, and debris data was collected and submitted to PADI Project Aware and Southeast Florida Action Network.

PADI WOMEN'S DIVE DAY 2018: SOUTH BEACH DIVERS

JULY 21ST, 2018

Organized a two-tank cleanup dive trip.

All women received 15% off of costs.

All participants received Women's Dive Day sunglasses and stickers, and were entered into a raffle to win a Debris Free Oceans zero-waste toolkit.

PADI Correspondent Allison Albritton (Ocean Allison) covered the event, recording video footage for PADI's Instagram Live.

54 lbs of marine debris were removed from the reef, and debris data was submitted to PADI Project Aware and Southeast Florida Action Network.

TRASH TO TREASURE BEACH CLEANUP & POP-UP SHOPS: DEBRIS FREE OCEANS WITH THE FREEHAND MIAMI

JULY 14, 2018

Helped run a beach cleanup outside of the Freehand Miami hotel.

Enjoyed complimentary beverages and an eco-fashion pop-up shop at the Freehand afterwards.

STOKED ON SALT OCEAN CONSERVATION DAY: RESCUE A REEF

JULY 13, 2018

Tabled on behalf of Rescue a Reef, educating individuals about coral restoration and promoting participation in the program.

PUB CRAWL PICKUP: DEBRIS FREE OCEANS WITH THE WYNWOOD YARD

JUNE 29, 2018

Helped run a pub crawl cleanup event, in which we bar hop and pick up trash in between stopping at bars and restaurants that provide different drinks and snacks.

ISLAND KEG & KLEAN: DEBRIS FREE OCEANS

june 16, 2018

Hosted a beach cleanup on an island offshore of Coconut Grove in collaboration with Waterlust, who created a video about the event.

Shake-a-Leg Miami provided boat transportation to the island.

Wynwood Brewing Co. provided complimentary beer for those with reusable cups.

Prime Marina Miami used barges to relocate trash collections from the island.

KIMPTON HOTEL: RESCUE A REEF EXCURSION

june 14, 2018

Hosted a Rescue a Reef (RAR) dive excursion with Kimpton Angler's Hotel, as part of the hotel's generous donation that funded the installment of 2 coral trees and restoration of one reef.

Educated hotel employees about coral conservation and the RAR program.

Guided them on SCUBA around their restored reef, "Angler's Reef."

A DAY ON THE REEF: DEBRIS FREE OCEANS x RESCUE A REEF CORAL CONSERVATION DIVE TRIP

june 10, 2018 (rescheduled FROM earth day due to weather)

Organized and ran a two-tank coral conservation dive trip, originally planned for Earth Day.

On dive one, led divers on a coral restoration trip and taught participants to plant corals. Outplanted a total of 75 colonies.

On dive two, led divers on a reef cleanup, removing 28 lbs of debris from the reef. Debris data was collected and submitted to PADI Project Aware and Southeast Florida Action Network.