Introduction to R2R

HM3105

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Welcome!

I have two questions, probably you get these all the time.

1. What are you all finding is the leading cause of reef destruction specifically in FL.

2. What can we as hobbyist do ?
 

Peace River

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Thank you for everything that you are doing for the reefs!
 

Stevel

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Met these great people at water box convention last year and they are doing wonderful work. I donated to their cause and hopefully everywhere will help them out also? The Christmas tree coral growing trees are fantastic!!
Thank guys keep up the great work
 

Gernader

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Welcome to R2R!! We are glad to have you!
 

dtrick

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Welcome to R2R and thank you for all that you are doing for the conservation of the Florida reefs!
 

mysaltwatertank

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Hello R2R community,

We would love to introduce ourselves to this wonderful community.

We are the Reef Institute and our mission is coral conservation through education, research and restoration. We are a small organization on a large mission to save the ocean.


A Little About Our Mission:

Scientists estimate that 50 -80% of all of the oxygen we breath comes from photosynthetic algae in the ocean. Much of this is produced specifically by the zooxanthellae algae living in the tissues of coral. No matter where you live in the world coral, affects your livelihood. For those of us on the Atlantic coast of the United States, our coastlines are directly effected by our coral reefs. The Florida Reef Tract is 365 miles long, running from Dry Tortugas National Park off the coast of the Key West, north to Martin County. As the only barrier reef along the coast of the continental US it creates not only a habitat for literally millions of animals, but a wall of protection from waves and storm surge. It is estimated that this track breaks into patch reefs, and then deep sea reefs up to the northern US. Unfortunately, our coral is suffering greatly. As one scientist once said, “We don’t even know the full extent that coral protects us and the rest of the ocean.”

This is why the Reef Institute sees the importance of protecting our coast, along with educating the next generation on how to best care for the fragile reefs is vital.

133361560_1803376016492449_4286047202688724662_n.jpg
118407194_1686086738221378_5340083943682777303_o.jpg





Our Research:

On the research side, we are a part of the Florida Coral Rescue Project. Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, was first discovered in 2014 and along with other environmental factors, has caused Florida coral reefs to decline to only a 3- 5% survival rate. We are the first holding facility to be given corals that have intentionally survived this disease zone. Our organization is also the only non zoo, museum or university to be part of this prestigious project. Additionally we are the only holding facility for Favia fragum, and are holding one of the largest single colonies currently rescued. Our other research projects include work with artificial reefs, and a large coral monitoring project in Palm Beach County, Florida

rescued coral1.jpg
rescued coral2.jpg
rescued coral3.jpg
rescued coral4.jpg
rescued coral5.jpg
126487150_1769787903184594_465237275312891248_o.jpg




Our Focus on Education:

For us, our research and education walk hand in hand. Educating the next generation on how to best care for the fragile reefs is vital. We offer many opportunities from outdoor classrooms to distance learning online. Working with the classroom teachers, we reinforce science concepts as students discuss marine science, and see live animals while we facilitate lessons.

69616207_1354739938022728_8993670902327541760_o.jpg
133295084_1802596419903742_1150237769114139721_o.jpg




We would love for you to check out our website! We are excited to get to know hobbyists! Our board members, Executive Director, marine scientists and marine veterinarian will be on Reef2Reef to interact, learn, and help in any way we can. Some of our staff and board members are active hobbyist and are members to R2R community also. We are grateful for this community and can’t wait to get to know you! We are looking to offer some free virtual education to help you see our coral, and get to know us for both adults and kids very soon!
Volunteering, education, and of course donating $$ are great ways to let everyone get comfortable helping out how they feel best doing so. I had no idea only 3%-5% of the coral on the reefs so close to my home are remaining. Thanks for the chance to enter, and to be able to spread the word!

James
My Saltwater Tank
 

DivingTheWorld

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Welcome to R2R! Could you tell us some more about the "Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease" which is destroying the Florida corals? It sounds like something we generally refer to here as STN (Slow Tissue Necrosis). It seems to happen when something in our tanks goes out of wack and seems to be linked to a bacterial imbalance.

Have you isolated the cause in Florida? Could it be rising ocean temperature, pollution due to runoff, or something purely natural?
 

JeannieS

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Welcome! I'm very grateful for all your work, especially educating the next generation.
 

GuppyHJD

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Hello,
The loss of 50% of the corals over the last 3 yrs in the FRT makes me wonder - can this disease be brought into hobby aquariums from Keys based aquacultured live rock?
 

knightnsd

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Hello R2R community,

We would love to introduce ourselves to this wonderful community.

We are the Reef Institute and our mission is coral conservation through education, research and restoration. We are a small organization on a large mission to save the ocean.


A Little About Our Mission:

Scientists estimate that 50 -80% of all of the oxygen we breath comes from photosynthetic algae in the ocean. Much of this is produced specifically by the zooxanthellae algae living in the tissues of coral. No matter where you live in the world coral, affects your livelihood. For those of us on the Atlantic coast of the United States, our coastlines are directly effected by our coral reefs. The Florida Reef Tract is 365 miles long, running from Dry Tortugas National Park off the coast of the Key West, north to Martin County. As the only barrier reef along the coast of the continental US it creates not only a habitat for literally millions of animals, but a wall of protection from waves and storm surge. It is estimated that this track breaks into patch reefs, and then deep sea reefs up to the northern US. Unfortunately, our coral is suffering greatly. As one scientist once said, “We don’t even know the full extent that coral protects us and the rest of the ocean.”

This is why the Reef Institute sees the importance of protecting our coast, along with educating the next generation on how to best care for the fragile reefs is vital.

133361560_1803376016492449_4286047202688724662_n.jpg
118407194_1686086738221378_5340083943682777303_o.jpg





Our Research:

On the research side, we are a part of the Florida Coral Rescue Project. Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, was first discovered in 2014 and along with other environmental factors, has caused Florida coral reefs to decline to only a 3- 5% survival rate. We are the first holding facility to be given corals that have intentionally survived this disease zone. Our organization is also the only non zoo, museum or university to be part of this prestigious project. Additionally we are the only holding facility for Favia fragum, and are holding one of the largest single colonies currently rescued. Our other research projects include work with artificial reefs, and a large coral monitoring project in Palm Beach County, Florida

rescued coral1.jpg
rescued coral2.jpg
rescued coral3.jpg
rescued coral4.jpg
rescued coral5.jpg
126487150_1769787903184594_465237275312891248_o.jpg




Our Focus on Education:

For us, our research and education walk hand in hand. Educating the next generation on how to best care for the fragile reefs is vital. We offer many opportunities from outdoor classrooms to distance learning online. Working with the classroom teachers, we reinforce science concepts as students discuss marine science, and see live animals while we facilitate lessons.

69616207_1354739938022728_8993670902327541760_o.jpg
133295084_1802596419903742_1150237769114139721_o.jpg




We would love for you to check out our website! We are excited to get to know hobbyists! Our board members, Executive Director, marine scientists and marine veterinarian will be on Reef2Reef to interact, learn, and help in any way we can. Some of our staff and board members are active hobbyist and are members to R2R community also. We are grateful for this community and can’t wait to get to know you! We are looking to offer some free virtual education to help you see our coral, and get to know us for both adults and kids very soon!
thank you just sponsored a coral
 
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