Students for Coral Preservation organizes BleachWatch event with Diver's Paradise

Empowering students to take part in real coral conservation through a guided dive and data collection.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Students for Coral Preservation (SCP), a non-profit founded by Miami Country Day School seniors, is teaming up with Diver's Paradise Dive Center to host a special BleachWatch dive event on March 8th. The event will depart from Crandon Marina in Key Biscayne at 10 a.m. and allow students to learn how to observe and document reef health during a guided dive with Diver's Paradise.

Why it matters

Coral reefs act as natural buffers, protecting coastal communities from storms and flooding. However, coral reefs have been severely impacted by climate change, with Florida reefs losing 90% of their coral cover since 1984. SCP aims to nurture a new generation of ocean stewards who are ready to tackle the challenges of coral preservation.

The details

The BleachWatch event is part of the Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) program, which serves as an early warning system for coral bleaching and disease in South Florida. During the dive, students will learn how to monitor weather conditions, record sea temperatures, and catalog data to provide insights into the current regional ocean conditions. SCP's programs are supported by the PADI AWARE Foundation, which empowers ecological warriors to protect marine life and ecosystems.

  • The BleachWatch dive event is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026 with a 10 a.m. departure from Crandon Marina in Key Biscayne.

The players

Students for Coral Preservation (SCP)

A non-profit organization founded by Miami Country Day School seniors Andrei Steyn and Gabriel Robert, with the goal of nurturing a better-equipped, better-informed generation of youth ready to tackle the challenges of coral preservation.

Diver's Paradise Dive Center

A 40-year-old scuba school and facility located in Key Biscayne, known as the premier scuba school in the region and one of nine adaptive facilities in the nation for special needs. Diver's Paradise has a global reputation and mission to protect and restore coral reefs, while advancing scuba instruction.

Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN)

A program that serves as an early warning system for coral bleaching and disease in South Florida, monitoring weather conditions, recording sea temperatures, and cataloging data to provide insights into the current regional ocean conditions.

PADI AWARE Foundation

An organization that has been driving local action for global ocean conservation for over 60 years, uniting divers, scientists, and ocean advocates to protect marine life and ecosystems through citizen science, policy change, and community grants.

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What they’re saying

“We have a chance to motivate, educate and make new friends by saving our precious coral reefs. SCP is building a community of future ocean stewards who will pass along what they have learned.”

— Andrei Steyn, Co-founder, Students for Coral Preservation (Community News Releases)

“From our trips to our classes, we are thrilled to offer new opportunities that will spark smart global change. If we remove the waste in our waters, hunt the ecological terrors to our oceans and embrace marine conservationist thinking, we're preserving the environment. We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity to partner with this tremendous team of innovators.”

— Michael Casey, Managing Director, Diver's Paradise (Community News Releases)

“Together, we will make this happen and hopefully bring more people to the water. Coral disease affects all of us. We must do our part as coral reef guardians.”

— Kai Lingswiler, Interim President, Students for Coral Preservation (Community News Releases)

What’s next

The event is free for SCP members and has limited space. To register and learn more, contact Andrei Steyn at andrei@studentsforcoral.org.

The takeaway

This partnership between Students for Coral Preservation, Diver's Paradise, and the PADI AWARE Foundation demonstrates the power of community-driven efforts to tackle the critical issue of coral reef preservation. By empowering and educating the next generation of ocean stewards, these organizations are taking concrete steps to protect Florida's fragile marine ecosystems.