The National Association of Underwater Instructors announced this week that the Green Diver Board of Directors has updated and revised the Green Diver Initiative’s mission and purpose, and has brought on a new executive director.
After a 10-week strategic planning process, GDI’s new aim now focuses its attention on promoting conservation through education, partnerships and activities focused on environmental stewardship. This updated strategic vision evokes a world with clean, healthy and sustainable aquatic environments. The strategic plan comes with goals of education, awareness, environmental change and self-sustainment.
After consulting on the strategic planning process, Maria Lewis was selected to take the role of the Green Diver Initiative’s executive director.
According to Lewis:
“I am very excited to be a part of the rebirth of the Green Diver Initiative. Although Green Diver educates through digital and print communications, both NAUI and the GDI Board recognize the urgency for an immediate, more proactive approach in aiding underwater and coastal environments.”
Lewis has worked in nonprofit management and fundraising for more than 25 years. She is a Certified Nonprofit Professional and a Certified Fundraising Executive.
Because education leads to proactive choices on preserving and conserving the underwater environment, one of Green Diver’s leading priorities continues to be education. Going forward, NAUI says that individuals can expect the initiative to primarily be involved in awareness campaigns that promote clean underwater environments. To enforce this strategy, the initiative’s objective is to collaborate with other organizations to help spread communications on these issues.
The second primary issue that GDI executives aim to focus on is the reduction of negative human impact on the aquatic environment. GDI will remain involved in providing support for clean-up efforts locally and globally. In doing so, the initiative plans to partner with other organizations on projects that affect these environments.
Since the establishment of this new venture and with support and sponsorship from NAUI Worldwide and NAUI Services Group, executives have already set forth endeavors to expand and grow the program with third-party Green Diver alliances.
GDI immediately formed relationships with Force Blue, the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and Oceana to promote rescue, restoration and preservation of coral reefs; the protection of sea turtles and their habitats; and endorsement of legislation aimed at the elimination of shark finning.
For more info, go to nauigreendiver.org or email Maria Lewis at mlewis@greendiver.org.
