Chevron and Blue Indigo Foundation launch the Reefs of Unity Academy in San Andrés

• The Reefs of Unity Academy trains young environmental leaders in diving skills and coral restoration in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina so they can continue leading the care of their ecosystems.
• The energy company seeks to continue promoting the social appropriation of knowledge among around 240 children and young people who will be sensitized to the care of marine ecosystems.

Chevron Colombia announced the launch of the Reefs of Unity Academy, the fourth phase of its coral reef conservation project. Throughout this stage, the social appropriation of environmental knowledge by local communities in the Archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia will continue to be reinforced to promote a culture of protection and restoration of the marine ecosystems of the department.

The Reefs of Unity Academy was born within the framework of the alliance with Blue Indigo Foundation, an expert in coral protection and conservation, as a space for training, participation, and community empowerment, designed to train children and young people from the territory on marine biodiversity, coral restoration, and sustainability.

After completing the formation of the first group of young environmental leaders known as Reef Keepers, this year the academy will certify new participants in diving skills and specialized training in coral restoration and conservation. By the end of the year, this group will consist of 18 young people who will support the restoration activities of the Nirvana Reef Garden Marine Park in San Andrés.

“With this initiative, we seek for the community to not only be beneficiaries but active protagonists in the protection of the reefs, which are an essential part of the local economy and the cultural identity of the Archipelago,” said Alejandro Riveros, Corporate Affairs Manager of Chevron in Colombia.

The Reefs of Unity Academy is also working on the development of a program of talks and interactive workshops aimed at children and young people in San Andrés to bring them closer to the care of marine ecosystems, their restoration, and protection. This year, 240 students from the community are being sensitized to bring them closer to the care of marine ecosystems and their restoration and protection.

1. This effort adds to the three previous phases of the project carried out with other national allies, through which coral planting and restoration activities were conducted, 5,600m of reef in the Colombian Caribbean were monitored to identify its health status, and the skills of the population in marine ecosystem conservation have been strengthened, always with the participation of the island community and local authorities.² 2. With this new phase, Chevron reaffirms its commitment to the social and environmental development of the Archipelago, as well as to the preservation of the natural heritage of the Colombian Caribbean.

3. Chevron and Blue Indigo Foundation launch the Reefs of Unity Academy in San Andrés | Colombian Association of Oil and Gas.