The Reef-World Foundation: Empowering Youth to Safeguard Coral Reefs in Bayahibe: Q1 2024 Progress Report Summary
Reef-Check Dominican Republic (RCDR) has conducted an initial evaluation of 21 operational dive businesses, revealing that 17 are awaiting reactivation within the Green Fins network and one is interested in joining for the first time. One assessment has been completed this quarter, with plans for the remaining assessments in Q2 and Q3 to reach the goal of 15 Green Fins assessments this year. In response to the presence of inactive members, RCDR has devised a strategic plan to train 60 business owners and staff by project end, aiming to revitalize inactive members and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, RCDR has identified four schools for potential engagement in the Youth Eco Champions Program, intending to integrate environmental stewardship into their curricula or activities to inspire students towards active roles in conservation efforts.
Next steps:
Assess and train staff at 5-10 inactive dive businesses to reach 60 trained by next quarter.
Expand the Youth Eco Champions Program to 4 schools, integrating it into their curricula.
Document progress in engaging dive centers and schools, preparing for the next report.
Collect multimedia content to showcase project impact.