Coral Reef Conservation: What You Can Do to Save the Oceans

 Coral reefs are home to one of the most diverse communities on earth, and it is also the most sensitive to human activities. The coral reefs in Florida are one of the largest found in the US and like many others are facing threats of bleaching and/or death. Because coral reefs are being threatened, it is important to bring awareness to the situation and try to help prevent more coral reefs from being lost. 

 

Research, education, and conservation are the main focus of the Coral Restoration Foundation. The Coral Restoration Foundation is located in Florida, with its headquarters in Tavernier, and its Exploration Center located in Key Largo. This nonprofit organization works towards restoring Florida’s coral reefs through large-scale cultivation and data collection. Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) encourages community involvement in the fight to save coral reefs by leading various programs and events for people of all ages. 

Coral Restoration Foundation tries to bring awareness to the threat many coral reefs are facing through various educational programs for younger children. Downloadable activity packs, after-school clubs, challenges, and performances from Captain Coral, who teaches children about science and conservation while also having fun, are all part of CRF’s attempts to teach children the importance of our oceans and our job to take care of them. 

For older residents who want to be a part of CRF’s restoration efforts, volunteers are always encouraged. Whether on land or in the sea, there is a role for everyone who is interested. For people with diving experience, there are also diving volunteer opportunities where volunteers work with CRF staff to manage and outplant corals.

Not a South Florida resident? That’s okay! CRF leads dive/snorkel programs which lets anyone who wants to play a role in conservation do their part. CRF even provides the opportunity to receive PADI Coral Restoration Certifications. 

CRF also encourages data collection from recreational divers through their Citizen Science program which uses an app that can be downloaded on a smartphone and enables people to become Citizen Scientists. The app, called OkCoral, offers a game that trains users in order to correctly provide data on the coral reef restoration sites during their recreational dives. This data is then used to monitor the survivorship of corals and the success of outplanting techniques.

Annual events like Coralpalooza and Raise the Reef Gala are also hosted by CRF to encourage reef restoration efforts. More information about these events can be found on their website here, along with more information on their research and other programs. 

For more about coral reefs and conservation efforts in Florida, information can be found here.