Since age eight, Rachel Watts dreamed of learning to dive. There was just one problem… she didn’t know how to swim! Despite the obstacle that lay before her, Rachel added scuba diving to her ever-growing bucket list and continued dreaming about the day she’d take her first breath undersea. Rachel had always been interested in nature, frequently exploring rock pools at the beach during her childhood summer holidays and marvelling at the vast expanse of ocean before her. Her fascination and curiosity fuelled her ambition – she was determined that someday, she’d become scuba certified.

Today, World Wildlife Day, Project AWARE honors all scuba activists who, one dive at a time, are taking action to protect ocean wildlife from marine debris, the ocean’s silent killer. Started by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, World Wildlife Day celebrates and raises awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

Scuba divers are used to descending great depths in the name of conservation, but how often do we look up? With a great love for the world below the sea, teenage ocean advocate Stephanie Wooley set her sights high above – she’d climb Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds and awareness for ocean protection.