The Rotary Reef Education Project
Randolph, Vermont, United States, with fieldwork in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas
The Randolph Union High School Reef Rescue SCUBA Team and Interact Club, led by biology teacher Deborah Schaner.
The need
Warming seas and disease have hit Caribbean reefs hard; the Perry Institute of Marine Science reports that up to 80 percent of Caribbean coral has already been lost. Back home in landlocked central Vermont, many Randolph students face economic hardship and struggle to find purpose in school.
The project
Deborah Schaner built a marine science program in a landlocked school and turned it into a reef rescue team. Students earn open water SCUBA certification, then live for a week aboard a sailboat in the Exuma Cays, where scientists from the Perry Institute of Marine Science teach coral biology, identification and disease.
- Students clean algae from coral nursery trees at 30 to 40 feet, assess coral health and outplant new colonies onto the reef.
- They finish with the PADI Reef Rescue certification, proof they can do real restoration work.
- Students raise funds through bake sales, raffles and food sales, with support from local businesses and Rotary.
Results
- Trips in 2024 and 2026; in January 2024, 12 students made about 15 dives each.
- Three alumni are now studying marine science in college.
- A new Interact Club now carries the program, and Rotary clubs in Nassau, Bahamas have pledged support.