Kayaking for Conservation

A quick update on my trip status!
- The current plan is to depart monday from Big Lagoon State park and begin my voyage down the Gulf Coast. I'll be posting updates as often as possible about my gear, meetings, interviews, and day to day stories!

- As a reminder, I am raising money to support restoration projects in Hernando County, including artificial reefs, and oyster reefs as well. As an avid free-diver I hope to see more artificial reefs along with wrecks and interesting structures to explore. I hope to begin studying one of the nearshore reefs as a project at UCF to determine how these artificial reefs can make our coasts more resilient. As I paddle the Gulf Coast I hope to interview residents and resource staff to learn what their communities are doing to restore and enhance their ecosystems.

Comments

About Me

Hi! My name is Cole Kolasa, I am 19 years old and studying environmental engineering at the University of Central Florida. Throughout my life I have been dedicated to conservation and sustainability of the environment, but my home will always be the Gulf of Mexico. I've participated in coral research for the past 6 years and I have been a science diver with SCUBAnauts Intl. since I was 12. My past summers have all been spent doing volunteer work with organizations such as MOTE marine in the Florida Keys, and visiting Washington D.C. to discuss ocean issues with politicians and scientists. However this summer I've decided to do something different. As I said I spend most my time outside and have done many small trips on the water, on the Appalachian trail, on the road, and on the bike. This summer my goal is to do something much bigger, something that can make a difference. After thinking a bit the idea struck me to kayak the west coast of Florida to draw attention to the gulf and raise money for artificial reefs in my hometown in Hernando County Florida. Artificial reefs provide a habitat for marine organisms and they also enhance fisheries. This artificial reef will not only draw in fishers, but draw them away from the natural reefs of the area which need to be protected and preserved. My goal is $10,000 and you can donate through the go-fund-me link in the drop down on the top left of the screen.