"Coral reefs are hubs for biodiversity! While it can be easy to think of these rocky looking organisms as lifeless, they are actually made up of thousands of tiny little animals called polyps (think super tiny anemone), that form colonies to create one big coral!

Many reefs are suffering in both the rapidly warming climate and the degrading water quality of our oceans, as well as being affected by diseases like bleaching and bands disease. In the Keys reef tract, over 90% of our stony Corals (like Staghorn, Pillar Coral, and Elkhorn) have disappeared from the reef. This is a problem because these three species form the bedrock for the other Corals, plants, and sponges to grip onto, which normally allows reefs to form. Without these builders, our reefs are slowly yet surely disintegrating.

However, all is not lost! Organizations like the Keys Marine Lab, Coral Restoration Foundation, and Mote Marine Lab are working together to not only save the Corals that are currently on the reef, but to grow massive “arcs” of Corals, numbering in thousands. These Corals are specially crossbred with hardy Corals that show greater genetic resistance to heat sensitivity and disease outbreaks.

While they are doing their part, we must do ours in order to secure a future where our children will be able to see a coral reef, rather than read about it in a history book. By sharing your thoughts on these issues and volunteering with these organization you can help create a tidal wave of change!!"