Frost Science to open national coral reef conservancy

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) is set to create the first national coral reef conservancy, focused on education and research.

Funded by a bipartisan, congressionally directed funding project, which is part of the latest omnibus appropriations bill, Frost Science will receive $1.15 million to go toward the coral reef conservancy named ReeFLorida.

ReeFLorida is going to be an interdisciplinary marine science hub that provides opportunities for ongoing education and collaborative research, with the goal of conserving, restoring and sustaining Florida’s Coral Reef.

The new conservancy, which will be based in Frost Science’s downtown Miami campus at 1101 Biscayne Blvd., will enable the museum to build on these efforts and provide opportunities for continuous education, research and active field conservation of Florida’s Coral Reef, while connecting people to marine science, STEM-based education, biodiversity and restoration, said Frank Steslow, president & CEO of Frost Science.

“The vision of the National Coral Reef Conservancy ReeFLorida at Frost Science is to achieve a healthy and sustainable future for Florida’s Coral Reef,” he said.

Florida’s Coral Reef stretches almost 350 miles from the Dry Tortugas to the St. Lucie Inlet. It is the only barrier coral reef system in the continental US and benefits more than 6 million residents of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties.

Throughout the years, the reef has been threatened by local and global impacts including climate change, disease, pollution and coastal construction activities.

The Marine Conservation WetLab and classrooms in the museum’s Knight Learning Center will also be an informal space for museum visitors and school groups to engage directly with researchers in ocean conservation and education as part of this initiative.

Through ReeFLorida, Frost Science will be working with and hosting marine scientists from around Florida including the University of Miami, SECORE International Inc., and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to develop functional and sustained coral reef and biodiversity restoration techniques and strategies.

Existing museum coral reef restoration partner FORCE BLUE, a non-profit conservation organization engaging former military special forces divers in conservation therapy utilizing their unique skill set for restoration efforts, will also form part of the team working at the conservancy.

“We are thrilled to further the museum’s unique active education, conservation and restoration work,” Mr. Steslow said, “while providing an opportunity for all reef restoration activities throughout the state to be highlighted, amplified and continue to expand and progress through this new conservancy on our campus.”