Marissa Bornn
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Short-term Fellow: June - August 2025
Mentored by Sabrina Severin, Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative
In my Navigating Home fellowship, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a conservation technician with Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI). This experience gave me my first real hands-on role in coral restoration, where I was responsible for daily coral husbandry tasks such as feeding and siphoning, and contributing directly to the care of coral nurseries. Along the way, I earned some amazing professional certifications including my scientific diver certification with the American Academy of Underwater Science, I got rescue, night diver, and navigation certified, and I received emergency first responder training. These certifications strengthened my skills as a diver and gave me the confidence to work safely and effectively in the field.
The fellowship also allowed me to complete UVI-led trainings including Mental Health First Aid and the opportunity to participate in NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program. I got to experience conducting benthic and fish surveys while diving, and I am now certified to contribute to these surveys every two years! These opportunities have opened doors to future collaborations and provided me with practical conservation experience I could never have gained in a classroom.
One of the most valuable aspects of this fellowship was seeing how many people in the Virgin Islands are actively working in coral restoration and marine science. The community I was welcomed into was highly skilled and incredibly supportive. This has been such an amazing summer experience! It solidified my passion for pursuing a career in marine science through nonprofit and NGO work.
My biggest takeaway is that even small organizations can have a big impact. At CWORI, I saw how much progress can be made with dedication, partnerships, and community support. That gives me real hope for the future of conservation.
All photos provided by Marissa Bornn.
