Zhixuan Chen

New Heaven Reef Conservation Program

The New Heaven Reef Conservation Program (NHRCP) was founded at our dive school in 2007 to teach divers about coral reef ecology, research, and restoration. We believe that the people most closely connected to the reef should be the ones that care for it, and so are trying to get more and more divers involved in marine education and conservation. The program is designed to give participants a hands-on approach to learning about the coral reef environment and a wide range of research and restoration techniques used by professionals around the world. Through our program, we maintain and monitor various sites around the island including coral nurseries, fish nurseries, artificial reefs, alternative dive sites, diver training areas, mooring buoys and zoning, and much more. By training others, we give people from all over the world an opportunity to learn hands-on about techniques that support local efforts and can be brought to other areas of the world. We not only certify participants in the techniques, but prepare them to start their own program or work and volunteer in marine projects around the world. We operate 10 months a year (January-December), and offer short courses (3 days-2 weeks), longer courses (3-4 weeks), or internships and thesis opportunities.