In this week’s Community Spotlight, we chat with PADI Course Director, Lana Sielski from Florida, USA. Lana has mobilized her community to raise funds not once or twice but FOUR times. Lana shares how her community makes a difference when effort, passion, and resources are combined.

Tell us about your passion for ocean conservation.

As a PADI Course Director, my entire life depends on the health of the local ecosystem including the estuaries, mangroves and coral reefs. There is not a day that goes by that I do not spend time in, on, or under the water for work or pleasure. As an educator, I am so lucky to have the opportunity to organize and inspire others to participate in various local conservation activities that I am so passionate about.     

Why and when did you get involved with Project AWARE?

I began to organize Project AWARE activities when I started working at Florida Keys Community College in the fall of 2012. I quickly realized that as an employee of the College I could make a difference in the local community. Each year, I certify upwards of 150 students ranging from Open Water to IDC Staff Instructor and serve as the advisor for the FKCC Scuba Club. I have a unique opportunity to inspire hundreds of community members and students to participate in conservation efforts and give back to our tiny island.   

What are some issues that are affecting your local dive site or favorite underwater areas?

Countless local residents fish recreationally or professionally in the Florida Keys. I see a lot of monofilament on the wreck and reef sites where fishing is allowed and ghost traps (lobster and crab). On land, I see a lot of bottles, cans, plastic bags and pieces of lobster and crab traps build up in the mangroves.

Tell us about your eco actions!

I incorporated the Dive Against Debris Distinctive Specialty into my advanced diving course. In this course, we focus on the 40-foot deep lagoon we have right here on campus. With the Scuba Club, I have helped organize a quarterly clean up on local wreck sites and an annual Finathon. To this date, the Scuba Club has organized 4 Finathon events and raised a little under $5,000! We have partnered with local dive shops and organizations including Captain’s Corner, Looe Key Dive Center and Reef Relief to clean up the Adolphus Busch off Looe Key and the Cayman Salvage Master off Key West on multiple occasions. We have also partnered with Lazy Dog Adventures on Earth Day of each year to conduct a land and kayak based clean up to help reduce the trash build up in the mangroves.

What has been the highlight of your Project AWARE experience? 

The volunteers and local businesses involved with the activities that I have helped organize are outstanding. We have students and community members of all ages and backgrounds participate. Often the local businesses will let us use their kayaks or boats for free or discounted rates. It is amazing what a difference a community can make when effort, passion, and resources are combined.

What is the most important thing you tell others about Project AWARE?

Check out the Project AWARE website for local conservation projects in your area. Organizers like myself want nothing more than to encourage locals to come out and help change the world one clean up (or lap) at a time!