Stewards of the Keys

Dee Dee Vaughan Smause: Coral Stewardship Runs in the Family

Dee Dee Vaughan Smause, co-founder of Plant a Million Corals with her parents, Dr. Dave Vaughan and Donna Vaughan, is passionately committed to restoring coral reefs and preserving the Florida Keys’ marine biodiversity. She finds great satisfaction in sharing Plant a Million Corals’ message of hope and seeing how it resonates with people.

By |2024-09-25T19:04:08-04:00September 25, 2024|

Steve Friedman: A ‘Blue Star’ Steward of Keys Waters

Islamorada fishing guide and captain Steve Friedman loves water: salt water, fresh water, blue water and particularly clean water. Friedman’s love of water includes prioritizing the preservation and restoration of the South Florida ecosystem, and the management of fisheries that provide a safe haven for the Florida Keys fish he loves to catch.

By |2024-08-28T14:33:56-04:00August 28, 2024|

‘Blue Star’ Means Green Adventures in the Florida Keys

Visitors who “look before they book” can help sustain the continental United States’ only barrier coral reef — and all elements of the Florida Keys’ marine environment. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary urges travelers to look carefully when booking Keys fishing, diving and snorkeling trips, and choose a sanctuary-designated Blue Star operator.

By |2024-08-07T14:19:51-04:00August 7, 2024|

Allison Delashmit: Steward of the Lower Keys Guides Association

Allison Delashmit is the executive director of the Lower Keys (Fishing) Guides Association, which includes more than 100 vetted guide members and 150-200 angler members. Her goals include protecting and maintaining the organization’s integrity, helping to protect and preserve the Keys fishery, and providing a voice for future fisheries management in the Keys.

By |2024-06-26T15:27:06-04:00June 26, 2024|

Bill Keogh: Steward of the Lower Keys’ Natural World

Naturalist, eco-guide, photographer-writer and paddling guidebook author Bill Keogh, a 44-year resident of Big Pine Key, operates Big Pine Kayak Adventures. He provides kayak and low-impact motorboat excursions and private motorboat trips to the Lower Florida Keys’ remote wilderness of the National Key Deer Refuge and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge.

By |2024-06-05T12:52:02-04:00June 5, 2024|

Steward of the Keys: Frank Betz Spins Fish Tales

Captain Frank Betz began fishing the Florida Straits in 2005 while working for the Boy Scouts of America at the Sea Base Camp on Summerland Key. Today he shares his passion for fishing the Florida Keys’ blue waters as a guide, offering Folklure Charters fishing trips from Summerland, Big Pine and Key West.

By |2024-03-27T18:01:02-04:00March 27, 2024|

Steward of the Keys: Dan Dawson Dives

Dan Dawson, co-owner with wife Mollie of Key Largo’s Horizon Divers, certified by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as an environmentally responsible Blue Star operator, discovered his passion for diving at an early age. Today, he’s energized by seeing kids and young adults learn about the Keys’ environment and its protection.

By |2024-02-28T10:46:19-05:00February 28, 2024|

Michelle Nicole Lowe: Steward of the Keys Through Art

Michelle Nicole Lowe, one of the Florida Keys’ best-known artists, paints colorfully whimsical and expressive wide-eyed marine life, wild birds and multi-hued flora and fauna. Through her artwork, the fifth-generation Keys resident promotes conservation of the island chain’s natural life — sea turtles, tarpon, herons, indigenous creatures, subtropical florals, mangrove hammocks and more.

By |2024-01-31T16:45:19-05:00January 31, 2024|

Erin Allison: Steward of the Keys’ Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center

Erin Allison has been executive director of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center Inc. since June 2023. Though just 26 years old, she is a dedicated Keys nonprofit leader who’s big on achievable goals. They include broadening the organization’s local outreach through education and by holding public releases of rehabilitated wild birds.

By |2023-12-27T15:23:52-05:00December 27, 2023|
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