With the recent NOAA confirmation of the 4th global coral bleaching event still fresh in our minds, we’re reminded that any work we can do to achieve a healthy balance between humanity and the ocean will always hold tremendous value. As a global community we are truly able to take advantage of the adage “local action for global impact”.  

Alongside our primary partner in conservation, the PADI AWARE Foundation, we are proactively working to address the environmental crisis by tackling key ocean threats like multiplying marine protected areas, accelerating coral recovery and tackling marine debris.   

Naturally, PADI Members play a critical role in this work, and your actions have been, and continue to be, pivotal to the achievement of these conservation goals. But did you know that as a PADI Member, your membership benefits include access to a range of resources to help you supercharge your ocean-conservation actions?   

Read on for 5 PADI AWARE Foundation resources that you can factor into your activities right now:  

PADI AWARE Courses   

If you don’t yet teach PADI AWARE courses, then now is the time to consider adding them to your repertoire.    

These courses, including PADI AWARE Specialty, Dive Against Debris, AWARE Shark Conservation, and Coral Reef Conservation courses – provide a unique opportunity to make a difference in the future of ocean health while engaging ocean-minded customers and creating additional business.   

An easy starting point for those who are new to these courses is the dry PADI AWARE Specialty, which is a great way to connect with potential new divers. Instructor applications for the PADI AWARE Specialty are also free, meaning there’s no reason not to get involved!   

As an additional business advantage, consider bundling AWARE specialties with core courses like PADI Open Water Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver as this can be a great upsell where divers, the ocean, and you benefit. Get started by logging into the PADI Pros’ Site and navigating to the Training Hub.   

PADI AWARE Grants  

Did you know that, as a PADI Member, you can apply for a grant to support your conservation activities?   

The PADI AWARE Foundation is committed to supporting passionate ocean advocates in their efforts to drive positive ocean change in their local environments. In fact, nearly 15% of all PADI AWARE global donations last year went directly back to local communities through the PADI AWARE Grant Program.   

PADI Dive Centers and Resorts (along with non-profit organizations) who are working to establish conservation initiatives in their communities may be eligible to receive grants to support their programs. Learn more about the program and how you can apply here.

PADI Citizen Science Platforms  

It’s been proven how important Citizen Science projects are to conservation work all over the world, and ocean conservation is no different. PADI AWARE Foundation has developed and manages the largest underwater citizen science database on the planet. Whether you’re monitoring marine debris, shark and ray populations, coral bleaching, or other conservation issues, the PADI AWARE platform allows your local action to provide critical research to drive global impact.   

If you’re not already taking advantage of this, check out this in depth look at the PADI AWARE Dive Against Debris program.   

Adopt the Blue   

Adopt the Blue provides multiple pathways for PADI operators, professionals, divers, and other ocean enthusiasts to get actively involved in conservation at both the local and global level. PADI and PADI AWARE amplify conservation efforts through cross-channel marketing, community grants, storytelling, and strategic partnerships. The program offers unprecedented scale and unmatched potential for participants to take direct action that will drive measurable conservation impact.   

Adopt the Blue sites are an anchor point for your citizen science action. You can easily replicate survey submissions using the PADI AWARE portal, making the submission process 30% faster. Your surveys, and stories shared at those sites over time, help monitor conservation issues and opportunities at your local dive sites and can prove the effectiveness of existing marine policy in your community.  

With a step by step guide to participation available on the PADI website, this is a simple but incredibly effective way to make real change at a local level, whilst being part of a global network driven by divers, which gives the industry a voice at an international level.   

Policy  

PADI AWARE Foundation is actively engaged in global policy, advocating on behalf of the dive community to protect endangered marine life and establish treaties to create a healthier ocean. Currently, PADI AWARE is representing the voice of divers in support of a strong UN Treaty to end plastic pollution.   

While this global campaign will be coordinated by PADI AWARE Foundation, its success will be reliant on the collective power and passion of PADI Mission Hubs and Torchbearers. PADI and the PADI AWARE Foundation will continue to support divers to take action on marine debris at both the local and global level in any way we can. We hope that as many of you as possible, from all parts of the world, will join us.  

If you’re already taking advantage of the conservation opportunities available to PADI Members and would like to include this information in your marketing, don’t forget that there is also a range of promotional material (including marketing toolkits, images, infographics and social media templates) available for download on the PADI Marketing Hub.  

The post Explore Your Membership Benefits:  Empowerment to take conservation action  appeared first on PADI Pros.

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