Deepwater Conservation Initiative

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Deepwater Conservation Initiative

We use diving and the community to preserve and protect the natural world.

08/27/2026

🌊 Bear Lake AIS Dive — August 15

On August 15, Deepwater’s scientific dive team headed to the brilliant blue waters of Bear Lake, Utah for a full day of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) observations. With quagga mussels threatening waters across the West, early detection and consistent monitoring are essential — and our divers are committed to protecting these iconic ecosystems.

From shoreline surveys to underwater substrate checks, our team documented conditions, collected data, and strengthened the regional network of AIS prevention efforts. Every observation helps safeguard recreation, local economies, and the health of the Colorado River Basin.

📍 Location: Bear Lake, Utah
🔎 Focus: AIS monitoring, early detection observations, diver led documentation
🤿 Team: Deepwater scientific divers + community partners

Protecting our waters takes all of us. Follow along as we share what we found — and how you can support AIS prevention across the region.

08/24/2026

Become an AAUS Scientific Diver this November in Key Largo!

Deepwater Conservation Initiative is hosting our next certification course November 8–15 at Ocean First Key Largo, and we’re opening spots for divers ready to turn their skills into real conservation impact.

This intensive training blends research diving techniques, rescue readiness, field science, and hands on restoration — this training is required for most State, Federal, and University marine science programs.

If you’re ready to dive with purpose, join us in Key Largo this fall.

Limited spots • Apply now: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/event-details-registration/aaus-scientific-diver-certification-3

08/10/2026

Diving to Protect from the Rockies to the Reef

Use your skills as an open water diver to help protect our local waterways. Whether you just received your certification or a seasoned diver with hundreds of dives, we welcome you to join us in tracking aquatic invasive species in the Mountain West.

Help our team finish strong this summer by joining us at Bear Lake this Saturday, August 15th, for an organized quagga and zebra observation dive. Your observations help the State of Utah track the spread of these invasive species.

To learn more about this Saturday or other upcoming events, visit our website: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved

Protecting our watersheds in the Rockies also has direct impacts on our favorite reefs – this is our Rockies to the Reef initiative.

08/04/2026

The Rockies Need Your Help

With much of the Mountain West facing drought conditions after poor snowpack, our freshwater ecosystems need a little boost.

Recently, a massive fish die off happened at Boyd Lake, Colorado affecting thousands of animals.

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/thousands-of-fish-die-boyd-lakedrought-conditions/73-ca5bdb24-458c-4add-ac55-005ed285d80d

Deepwater continues to support these ecosystems this summer through Aquatic Invasive Species observations and waterway cleanups. Large impacts on our local habitats can allow invasive species to gain the upper hand against their native counterparts.

If you would like to join us in a cleanup or aquatic invasive species survey, visit our website to learn more: www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved

Our next observation is at Bear Lake, Utah on August 15th at 8:00AM.

07/30/2026

Day 4: A Glimmer of Hope

Today was Deepwater’s last day in the water for our coral restoration efforts in Key Largo, and incredible note to end on.

The Deepwater team spent the day on the water performing surveys for NOAA’s Mission: Iconic Reefs wih Ocean first. The team logged the health of several species at two sites along Elbow Reef.

The Elkhorn coral found on the site gave the team a glimpse of what we are fighting for.

But the fight isn’t over. Water temperatures continue to rise over the summer, elevating the risk for bleaching and disease.

You can help us continue to support our fight for this critical ecosystem by joining our next expedition or donating to our efforts: www.deepwaterconservation.org/donate

07/29/2026

Day 3 in Key Largo and the ocean gave us a good one.

We spent the morning with Coral Restoration Foundation learning to create photomosaics for restoration tracking. Our team recorded photomosaics for two outplant sites which will be used to track both coral outplant growth and bleaching. The information our team gathered over the past couple days will be used for coral spawning teams to focus their efforts with the spawn beginning next week.

Watching our team move through the survey — focused, calm, and totally in their element — felt like witnessing hope in motion.

These trips remind us why Deepwater exists: to train, to restore, to empower, and to protect.

More coral, more community, more impact.

07/28/2026

Day Two: Restoring Coral, Reviving Reefs — The Florida Reef Tract

Every tree we clean, every fragment we stabilize, and every reef we monitor brings us one step closer to a healthier ocean. Our team has been hard at work in Key Largo, partnering with Coral Restoration Foundation to restore the Iconic Reefs of the Florida Reef Tract and give threatened coral species a fighting chance.

Swipe through to see:

🪸 Our divers performing maintenance in the largest coral nursery in the world
🔧 Hands-on restoration at our Carysfort Reef
🌱 Newly outplanted corals beginning to thrive
🤿 The incredible community that makes this work possible

Healthy reefs mean healthier oceans — and we’re proud to be part of the solution.

Want to support coral restoration? Join a dive, volunteer, or help fund the next outplanting expedition. Together, we can rebuild what’s been lost.

Explore the opportunities at: www.deepwaterconservation.org

07/22/2026

AAUS Scientific Diver Certification with Utah State University

On August 17th, we’re teaming up with Utah State University in Logan, Utah to train a new wave of Scientific Divers — and we’d love to see you in the water with us.

Our AAUS Scientific Diver Certification course is built for divers who want more than adventure. You want to measure, monitor, restore, and protect. You want to be part of the work that keeps our ecosystems alive. The AAUS Scientific Diver certification is the required training for most marine science programs in the United States.

Join our August session at USU and learn the research diving skills that power conservation from the Rockies to the Florida Keys. Only two spots remain!

To learn more and register, visit our website: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/event-details-registration/aaus-scientific-diver-certification-2

07/20/2026

This week’s conservation win comes with a little help from our unofficial Assistant Dive Safety Officer, Pete the golden retriever.

While our team worked on coral restoration planning and freshwater project development, Pete supervised by conducting his own freshwater surveys — reminding us that conservation is about joy, connection, and protecting the places we love exploring.

From ocean reefs to Colorado waterways, every project we take on is powered by community. Whether you join a dive, attend a training, or simply share our mission, you’re part of this movement.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for showing up for the planet.

And thanks — according to Pete — for being an excellent human.

To learn more about our upcoming events, visit our website: https://www.deepwaterconservation.org/get-involved

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2478 W 12600 S
Riverton, UT
84065

Website

http://www.deepwaterconservation.org/

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