Dee Dee Vaughan Smause, co-founder of Plant a Million Corals alongside her parents, Dr. Dave Vaughan and Donna Vaughan, is passionately committed to restoring coral reefs and preserving marine biodiversity in the Florida Keys. Her efforts have helped the organization to make significant strides in coral restoration — while aiming to plant one million corals to rejuvenate the region’s underwater ecosystems.
Her work with nonprofit organizations has convinced Dee Dee that small, collective actions can drive significant change.
Dee Dee’s journey into the nonprofit sector stems from her belief that “one person can make a difference in their community.” Her extensive work in disaster response, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising equipped her with the skills to tackle large-scale environmental challenges. Among other positions, she played a crucial role as development officer for the Florida Keys Community Land Trust, helping expand affordable housing efforts while honing her media and donor relations skills.
Reflecting on her path, she said, “When, as a family, we decided to start Plant a Million Corals, it was as if my career trajectory had been quietly training me for the needs of this organization.”
The idea for Plant a Million Corals emerged from the Vaughans’ deep connection to the ocean and their commitment to protecting its fragile ecosystems.
“The ocean has always been a part of me. My father, being a marine biologist, truly shaped almost every aspect of my young life,” said Dee Dee. “I grew up with morning fishing trips on the Indian River Lagoon with my dad before school, and surfing and sailing after class and on weekends. The ocean has always been there to calm me down and bring me back up.”
Her father’s groundbreaking discovery of coral micro-fragmentation technology, Dee Dee explained, became the foundation of their work. Collaborating with marine scientists and environmentalists, they founded the organization to address the alarming decline of coral reefs.
Dee Dee’s husband Jason Smause is also working with Plant a Million Corals.
“There were already amazing research institutions and organizations working on restoration, but there wasn’t a large-scale cultivation program with goals to make coral restoration affordable,” she said. “As a family, we knew this was something we could work together to achieve.”
Dee Dee’s husband Jason Smause, who has a background in commercial diving and construction, joined the team after the program’s inception — making it even more of a family effort.
What motivates Dee Dee most is seeing the impact their work has on others.
“Everyone knows that coral reefs, here in the Keys and around the world, are in trouble,” she said. “But when I can tell someone that not only is there hope for our reefs, but that change can happen in their lifetime, the relief and joy is palpable.”
She finds great satisfaction in sharing Plant a Million Corals’ message of hope and seeing how it resonates with people. The organization’s goal is to produce one million corals annually for the Florida Reef Tract by the end of 2025. Additionally, Plant a Million Corals offers coral restoration workshops to train participants in coral husbandry, reproduction, disease mitigation and more.
Dee Dee relaxes by spending time on or in the waters of the Florida Keys — sometimes with canine companion Bela.
“We want to make coral restoration affordable, accessible and scalable,” Dee Dee said.
As Plant a Million Corals works toward its goal of restoring reefs, she remains steadfast in her belief that small, collective actions can drive significant change. In addition, she’s hopeful that the organization’s work will inspire others to get involved in environmental conservation.
Her advice: “Volunteer! There are so many organizations that benefit from community involvement. No matter what capacity you are looking to help in, there will be a role for you.”
Her motto: “If you show people kindness in everything you do, you will get it back tenfold from the most unexpected places.”
Where she dines: South of the Seven and the Square Grouper for a wonderful night out near home. The Waterfront Brewery in Key West to take in the harbor and feel the pulse of the island city.
Where she explores: Anywhere on the ocean — diving, paddleboarding or just taking the boat to a sandbar.
How she relaxes: “My favorite thing is to spend time with my husband, our pup Bela and our friends and family on the water. Any day spent with the sun on my face and salt on my skin is a good one.”
