UREEF.org, short for Underwater Real Estate & Environmental Fund, has a mission to provide crucial funding for Ocean conservation and Coral Reef Restoration. Our primary focus is to introduce the military community, including veterans worldwide and those fighting in Ukraine, to ocean conservation through scuba diving and participation in coral reef restoration projects. We aim to collaborate with esteemed organizations like Ocean Shot, backed by influential figures like John Paul DeJoria, renowned for his association with Paul Mitchell and Patron tequila.
Having taken early retirement at the end of 2020, I am now dedicated to pursuing my personal interests in travel, scuba diving, underwater videography, coral reef restoration, as well as cultural and historical explorations. This journey led me to establish UREEF.org, which stands for Underwater Real Estate & Environmental Fund. The fund’s mission involves utilizing referral proceeds from real estate sales and property management in popular expat retirement destinations, such as the Caribbean, Panama, Belize, Mexico, the South Pacific (including the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam), and other global retirement and real estate investment destinations.
1. Host scuba diving expeditions and coral reef restoration projects specifically for military veterans and those fighting in Ukraine. This would provide a unique opportunity for these individuals to connect with the ocean and contribute to conservation efforts.
2. Collaborate with Ocean Shot and other influential organizations and figures, such as John Paul DeJoria, to gain support, funding, and exposure for UREEF.org’s mission.
3. Create educational programs and workshops to raise awareness about ocean conservation and the importance of coral reef restoration. These programs could be targeted towards military communities, veterans, and the general public.
4. Offer scholarships or financial assistance for military veterans and those fighting in Ukraine to obtain scuba diving certifications. This would enable them to actively participate in coral reef restoration projects and further their understanding of ocean conservation.
5. Establish partnerships with universities and research institutions to conduct scientific studies on coral reefs and the impacts of conservation efforts. This would help UREEF.org provide evidence-based strategies for effective restoration and conservation.
6. Develop a certification program for real estate agents and property managers in retirement destinations to become “REEF-certified.” This would ensure that a portion of their referral proceeds goes towards UREEF.org’s mission.
7. Organize fundraising events, such as galas, charity auctions, or underwater photography exhibitions, to generate additional funding for UREEF.org’s projects.
8. Collaborate with local communities in retirement destinations to implement sustainable practices and raise awareness about the importance of protecting coral reefs and the ocean.
9. Create an online platform or app where individuals can track the impact of their real estate investments on coral reef restoration projects. This would provide transparency and encourage more people to invest in retirement properties that support UREEF.org’s mission.
10. Establish partnerships with dive shops and dive resorts in retirement destinations to offer discounted rates or special packages for individuals who support UREEF.org’s mission. This would encourage more people to engage in scuba diving and become advocates for coral reef conservation.
