Project AWARE's online environmental community working together for ocean protection.

Lauren

View
Badges

User Profile

North America

Name

Lauren Wiskerson

Location

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

United States

36° 39' 20.0736" N, 76° 59' 36.618" E

See map: Google Maps

Member Type

Individual

Organization

Project AWARE Foundation

Bio

I’ve always loved the ocean and playing in the waves, either above or below the surface. I’m always planning my next trip to swim, body board, surf, dive – you name it. Diving has always been fascinating to me; it opens up the other 70% of this planet that is otherwise hidden. I’m grateful that I can get a glimpse of the creatures beneath the waves. From the first Garibaldi I encountered on my initial open water dive, I was hooked. Becoming a Rescue Diver not only gave me a greater confidence to enjoy diving but has been valuable in my role at Project AWARE Foundation. I joined the foundation (in August 2004) with four years of professional dive industry experience under my weight belt, working for PADI and Diving Science & Technology in a variety of capacities. I was eager to use my experience and skills to take action against marine debris and am passionate about spreading the conservation message to help safeguard our precious ocean.

My Blog Entries

Submitted by Lauren on Mar. 18/13

Divers are heard - extinction is not an option!

Its an exciting time for Project AWARE Foundation. After many years of gaining diver's support for sharks, five species of highly traded sharks, both manta rays and one species of sawfish were listed under CITES at the conclusion of CoP16 held this month in Bangkok, Thailand. Delegates from 170 countries considered 70 proposals affecting more than 300 species, including eight of some of the most vulnerable sharks and manta rays.

Submitted by Lauren on Sep. 17/12

Debris Month of Action Inspires a Greater Community

I was lucky enough to be able to attend Deep Blue Scuba & Swim Center’s first annual Dive Against Debris event on 15 September.

The local dive community met at the Belmont Veteran's Pier in Long Beach, California. The event was not only in conjunction with Project AWARE’s Debris Month of Action but was in honor of Artie Williams, III (a photojournalist, ABC7 cameraman, and diver who fought against marine debris and, who recently lost his life doing something he loved - diving).

Submitted by Lauren on Aug. 07/12

Debris Month of Action is almost here - get ready!

Debris kills ocean life and threatens nearly every marine environment.

You can take on the ocean’s silent killer. You can stop plastics, cigarette butts, fishing gear and countless other items from choking our ocean planet. How?

Join Debris Month of Action this September and fight back against marine debris.

Submitted by Lauren on Jul. 19/12

Debris Month of Action

September is Debris Month of Action (http://www.projectaware.org/project/debris-month-action) so it's time to get inspired and get organizing. This video inspires me to get onboard with real longterm change - http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-change/

Submitted by Lauren on Apr. 04/12

Big Shark Shout Out 2012

The signatures for Project AWARE’s shark petition are coming in steadily. In the past month there have been 6,500 additional signatures and its all due to passionate divers (thank you!) spreading the word. But as it stands we still need 152,500 more signatures within the next 332 days – that’s 459 signatures a day.

Submitted by Lauren on Mar. 06/12

So close yet so far - for shark protection

Project AWARE’s shark petition is looking for trade protection for sharks. There is so much talk about finning bans which is great but there are a number of pressures on sharks like overfishing and bycatch, and they all need to be addressed.

Submitted by Lauren on Feb. 29/12

Divers are amazing!

This is why divers are so awesome and Diving Against Debris is so important.

Photographer: Ray Boland, NOAA/NMFS/PIFD/ESOD

Submitted by Lauren on Jan. 18/12

100% AWARE Program

I'm so excited that the 100% AWARE program is now available.

When Instructors and Dive Centers sign up to be 100% AWARE, they join dedicated scuba professionals across the world in supporting ocean protection with every student they certify through PIC online. Once officially 100% AWARE, each of their dive students will receive the Project AWARE version of the PADI certification card, showing their support to protect our ocean planet.

The donation on behalf dive students supports conservation initiatives such as:

Submitted by Lauren on Aug. 26/11

Awesome events

I've been checking out some of the events that are going on and planned for the future and so impressed how many awesome and inspired actions are happening. Divers rock!