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DTI CARES divers working underwater Divers restoring coral underwater DTI CARES team near the water

Our Story Purpose. People. Ocean.

DTI CARES is a 501(c)(3) with a collective action for restoring ecosystems. It connects divers, marine scientists and communities in a shared effort to restore coral reef ecosystems while empowering the next generation of ocean stewards.

Our Mission

Restoring coral reef ecosystems across Florida and the Caribbean while empowering the next generation of ocean stewards.

RestoreRebuild degraded coral reef ecosystems through hands-on nursery and out-planting programs.

ProtectDefend marine habitats through science, monitoring, and community-led stewardship.

EmpowerTrain the next generation of ocean stewards through education and opportunity.

Species at Risk

We protect threatened species and their habitats for a balanced ocean.

Why it mattersReefs support marine life, coastal resilience, and the communities that depend on healthy oceans.

Science & Innovation

We use cutting-edge research and technology to drive impactful solutions.

Science-based restorationEvery initiative is grounded in marine science and built with researchers and institutions so the work produces measurable results.

Our Certified DWP Team

A passionate team of divers, scientists, and conservation leaders.

Field leadershipCertified divers, instructors, and conservation partners support safe restoration, monitoring, training, and education work.

Core Values

Ocean stewardship, science, participation, education, opportunity, and collaboration guide our work.

Ocean StewardshipWe treat the ocean not as a resource to exploit, but as an ecosystem to protect, restore, and pass on to future generations.

Community ParticipationConservation works when communities are at the center, with divers, volunteers, and local populations as active participants.

CollaborationNo single organization can restore the ocean alone. We build partnerships across institutions, communities, and borders to amplify impact.

Our Vision

A Caribbean-wide network for reef restoration, research partnerships, and trained ocean stewards.

Island Nation LabsRegional research stations that combine marine science, coral restoration, and community training.

Basin-Wide Coral MonitoringA connected network of citizen science teams tracking reef health across the Caribbean.

Marine Protected AreasSupporting the creation and management of new marine protected areas through data and advocacy.

Underwater Research HabitatsFuture facilities that support marine science, sustainable tourism, and pharmaceutical discovery from reef ecosystems.

Kramer Wimberley, J.D.

Our Founder

Kramer Wimberley, J.D.

Founder & Executive Director, DWP-CARES & DTI-CARES

Kramer Wimberley, J.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of DWP-CARES and DTI-CARES. A veteran diver with over 5,500 dives across 40 countries, he serves on the Board of Directors for Diving With a Purpose and the Green Leadership Trust, and sits on the Coral Restoration Foundation’s Dive Control Board.

He created the CARES distinctive specialty certification program and established CARES as an organizational member of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A retired Deputy Fire Director, former EMT, and Juris Doctor, Kramer integrates 29 years of emergency management discipline with marine conservation, leading coral restoration, 3D photogrammetry surveys, and youth scientific diver workforce development through the Guardian Ascent pathway across the Caribbean basin.

Key Credentials, Boards & Affiliations
  • Founder & Executive Director: Diving With a Purpose – Collective Approach to Restoring our Eco-System (DWP-CARES)
  • Founder & Executive Director: Dive Tours International – Collective Approach to Restoring our Eco-System (DTI-CARES)
  • Board of Directors: Diving With a Purpose (DWP) and Green Leadership Trust
  • Safety & Governance: Dive Control Board, Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF)
  • Curriculum Developer: CARES Distinctive Specialty Certification Program & Guardian Ascent Curriculum
  • Dive Experience: 5,500+ logged dives across 40 countries
  • Global Accreditations: Organizational Member, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • Instructor Credentials: SDI / NAUI / PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer; Reef Check Instructor Trainer
  • Public Service: Retired Deputy Fire Director & Deputy Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator (City of Newark, NJ)
  • Education: Juris Doctor (CUNY School of Law) | B.S. in Criminal Justice (Rutgers University)

Documentaries & Media

Real stories. Real impact. Bringing our mission and the ocean to the world.

Stronger reefs. Stronger communities. Brighter future.