A pioneering scholarship program is turning the tide for both students and the ocean. The Revive Reef Restoration Scholarship Program, launched in late 2024 by Mother of Corals, has already yielded remarkable results—creating young conservationists while rebuilding fragile reef ecosystems.
Training for Local Students to Study Coral Reef Restoration
To date, the program has provided financial support and hands-on training for 17 local students since its inception to study coral reef restoration techniques. Over the course of several months, participants obtain their scuba certification from Bocas Pirates Dive Center and learn artificial reef methodology under the direction of Mother of Corals. So far 10 have graduated and 7 are on track to complete the program by the end of this year.
The impact has been twofold: not only have students gained valuable career-building experience in marine conservation, but the reefs themselves are beginning to flourish. Artificial reef structures were installed and coral fragments out planted across two local reef sites.
Bocas has historically not had many local community members introduced into a dive industry career path. This changes the potential for Bocas dive leaders to be Panamanian significantly. “I am very happy to witness the local youth seeing the underwater world from beneath the surface for the first time and showing so much interest, care and curiosity towards caring for nature – which is something they bring home to their friends and family”, says Alexander Keppel, co-owner of Bocas Pirates Dive Center.
The initiative also strengthens community ties. Students shared their knowledge through school presentations and public workshops, inspiring others to join the movement to protect the ocean.
The Success of Investing in Young People
“The best benefit of the program for me is the way Mother of Corals (MOC) restores the corals in my home and teaches us how to care for them”. Says program participant Norishel Navarro. “This allows me to learn about marine life and help more species find a home”.
“The success of this first cohort proves that investing in young people is investing in the future of our reefs”, said Krista Shoe, Founder of Mother of Corals. “We’re helping to build the next generation of ocean stewards”.
Buoyed by its success, the Revive Reef Restoration Scholarship Program plans to expand this year, increasing the number of scholarship recipients and reef sites supported. We are so thankful for the support of the Red Frog Foundation, which has generously donated much of the funding for this initiative. If you would like to support this program, please visit: https://motherofcorals.org/
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Website: https://motherofcorals.org/ Photos courtesy: Mother of Corals