The Reef Institute knows that saving coral saves our coasts. Coral in Florida has been endangered in recent years by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease as well as other environmental factors. Scientists estimate that there is only 3%-5% of coral coverage left on Florida’s Coral Reefs. These reef building corals are a variety of shapes, needed for wave break. The Florida Coral Rescue Team has “rescued” corals from the ocean from the disease, and The Reef Institute is part of an elite group of sites holding rescued stony corals.
The Reef Institute focuses on education, research, and restoration. Our research staff focuses on the research and science categories of conservation, while our education team focuses on developing and delivering curriculum to the next generation that will be stewards of the environment.