With Endangered Species Day, May 15, just one week away, we’re reminded of the importance of saving and protecting marine life. Marine debris – the trash from our everyday lives that makes its way from land to sea – damages vital ocean habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds, and poses a serious hazard to endangered marine species.

Marine debris is one of the biggest threats facing our ocean, and the students of the Florida Keys Community College Scuba Club are working together to tackle the challenge head on!

At Florida Keys Community College (FKCC), students have the opportunity to enroll in one of the most exciting and challenging courses of study through the Marine Environmental Technology Program. The program teaches students use of technical equipment in chemical and biological monitoring, research diving techniques and underwater photography techniques to report findings. They are taught to prepare environmental impact reports and perform water quality assessments and marine population surveys – all skills that can be used to later work for the protection of marine environments and wildlife.

While studying for future careers in diving and ocean conservation, 25 active members of the FKCC Scuba Club also meet regularly for community service projects, fundraisers and recreational diving. When the student group was introduced to Project AWARE by faculty leader, Lana Sielski, in 2014, they were thrilled by the opportunity to give back to the marine environment that they all love. After a successful Finathon fundraiser event in 2014, FKCC Scuba Club was determined to up the ante in 2015.

This year, students organized a special, two-day event to raise vital funds to protect endangered marine species. Day one included large scale cleanup efforts. With masks, fins and snorkels in hand, students set out for a Dive Against Debris in the campus lagoon. Others joined in kayaks, collecting debris from the lagoon surface and surrounding mangroves. In total, 749 pounds of trash and recyclables were recovered during the event. But, the FKCC Scuba Club students didn’t stop there. The following day, students organized a Finathon and raised over $1300 in funds to help support Project AWARE’s work to protect endangered shark species.

Through the Dive Against Debris element of their event, FKCC Scuba Club members helped make their local lagoon a safer home for marine creatures, lessening the likelihood for animals to become caught in or ingest marine debris. Meanwhile, funds and awareness generated through the club’s Finathon will help Project AWARE to continue to fight for the protection of endangered marine species. FKCC Scuba Club felt each of these event elements necessary to make a positive impact for marine environments and wildlife. Club president, Samuel Dean Richardson, explains: “Our oceans are home to millions of different species of wonderfully diverse marine life and, unfortunately, millions of pounds of our trash. As divers, snorkelers and ocean lovers, it is our responsibility to help by contributing to ocean conservation efforts.”

Project AWARE thanks the FKCC Scuba Club Divers for their dedication and commitment to addressing the marine debris challenge and for advocating for the protection of endangered marine species.

Want to help make a positive impact for some of the biggest challenges faced by our oceans and marine wildlife? Take on Project AWARE’s new My Ocean Challenge, launching Endangered Species Day, May 15.