Education

Building better stewards of the ocean begins with a deep commitment to education, both in and out of the sea. Coral conservation snorkel tours and citizen science., in-school and after-school programming, virtual tours, and marine science intensives are just a few of our many educational offerings. One major initiative works with local stakeholders across the Caribbean. 

Research

 According to NOAA, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, coral bleaching events, and other issues have left Florida with only 2% of its original coral coverage. We are at the forefront of reversing the damage. Along with land-based coral research, we monitor the Peanut Island artificial reef system, creating a database of coral health, growth, settlement, and local biodiversity.

Restoration

As part of the Florida Coral Rescue and Propagation Project and an official rescue site of the 2023 Florida Keys bleaching, The Reef Institute is gene banking, spawning, raising, and outplanting juveniles of Caribbean coral species to further coral restoration opportunities. As part of the rescue-to-reef pipeline, the goal is for juvenile corals to return to the ocean one day. The Reef Institute works across the Caribbean with partners to create restoration opportunities as needed. Finally, we are working to intentionally design artificial reef systems with recycled material. 

From Rescue To Reef

Our full circle approach to coral restoration starts in the class room and ends in the ocean. Our state of the art facility houses thousands of coral that will one day go back out into the ocean. Our efforts combined with the state of Florida is actively working to restore the reefs right here in West Palm Beach.