Adam Taylor Memorial Fund

supporting our Caribbean Teacher Initiative

The Adam Taylor Fund supports our Caribbean Teacher Initiative, which provides full scholarships to educators from Caribbean island nations to our summer marine ecology workshops. Surprisingly few island residents know much about or snorkel their surrounding waters. We want to help educators make the connection between a healthy ocean and a healthy society with their students!

Adam’s journey with MRDF began when he was three years old and accompanied his father to the launching of the MarineLab Undersea Laboratory in John Pennekamp State Park.  Somewhere in the archives of that launch is a photo of Adam trying to put a mouthpiece in his mouth so he could dive down and see where his dad and MRDF Founder Ian Koblick had gone.  From that time on there was never a moment that Adam did not want to be near the water. As he got older, he spent many happy days in the MRDF/Jules Lagoon learning about the ocean and its environment. At age 8 he told his father he wanted a PADI diving card.  When he was told he had to wait until he was 14, he said ok. Then literally when he woke up on the morning of his 14th birthday, he grabbed his dad and headed to Lauderdale Diver to become a certified diver.

Adam’s connection with MRDF extended beyond the water.  While in middle school at St Marks he won both the school and state science award for the impact of ultraviolet light on marine life, a topic suggested by Ian.  As college choices came into focus Adam wanted to go to the University of Hawaii and study marine science.  Finally, though he chose to go to University of Central Florida and intern at Sea World, where his diving skills were put to good use.

Although Adam’s career took him away from the ocean, he continued to spend his free time either on the water or by the water. Unfortunately, Adam passed away at a young age, leaving behind a young family that he had introduced to the ocean.  

In considering the desire to create a lasting legacy, Adam’s family felt that supporting programs at MRDF was an easy choice. Adam loved being in the Jules Lagoon and his time spent in Key Largo.  His love affair with diving created a strong bond between him and the ocean environment.  Adam would want others to care about our oceans the way he cared, and this fund makes that happen.

If you would like to make a gift greater than $1000, please contact Director of Development Kim Gregory at kim@marinelab.org or 305-451-3909 extension 3.