Help Emma Restore our Coral Reefs!

Hi, my name is Emma Goodman and I have a wonderful opportunity to participate in a year-long project where 15 of my peers and I will work to rebuild the declining coral reef system in the Florida Keys.

I am reaching out to my friends and family to financially help me with this process... where I will train, study, and help to save our reef system from the devastation it's been experiencing from pollution, climate change, and human interference. In addition to making life better for sea creatures, who knows what the larger global impacts could be by saving the reefs!

As an 8th grader at Polaris Expeditionary Learning School, in addition to our normal studies, we learn to collaborate and work on real-world projects, conducting research and learning about the world and cultures around us. Our school motto is, "We Are Crew, Not Passengers!" I resonate with this statement and feel that it represents how we need to be active, reactive individuals, decision makers, leaders, researchers, doers, and not just sit and watch life pass us by. Three times per year, we get to participate in week-long intensives where we are involved in these types of projects, or we step out of regular schooling to experience a backpacking trip, go snowshoeing, or experience some form of outdoor learning. I have been so fortunate to have been selected to participate in this year-long intensive, called The Colorado Coralition, which is a coalition of students actively working to repair declining coral. This project is a coordinated effort with The Coral Restoration Foundation . You can learn more about our this project by viewing the website that my teacher, Dr. Matt Strand, has put together.

It is estimated that the trip will cost around $3,200-$3,500 so I am striving to raise up to $3,500 to help cover all costs associated with SCUBA certification, dive instructors, training, travel costs, meals & lodging, boat charter and dive masters. I have been working and saving money from babysitting and through making and selling jewelry with my Mom at farmers markets to help fund this trip. I will also be working with my school to help with group fundraising, but I am also actively fundraising for myself to ensure that this amazing opportunity is able to take place. My parents are also contributing and all of the funds that I raise for the trip will be used specifically for this year-long intensive journey. Many of the expenses related to this project happen up-front so I am working to raise funds as quickly as possible.

I am very interested in learning more about our ocean reefs, the ways that coral reef devastation is impacting our world on a large-scale, how to help save the coral and improve sea life around the reef, how to work with my peers to help regenerate the coral, and also to gain experience as a SCUBA diver. I thank you for any help you are able to give to help make this trip possible! I have so many amazing people in my life and I am so appreciative for each of you being a part of my growth in this world!

Thank you!

-Emma Goodman