Beneath the surface of Florida’s warm coastal waters lies one of the rainforests of the ocean, vibrant, vital, and under threat. Stretching over 350 miles, Florida’s Coral Reef supports 25% of all marine life in the region. This important ecosystem is under siege from coral disease, rising ocean temperatures, and pollution. In response to this crisis, a growing network of scientists, government partners, nonprofits like our Foundation, and zoological institutions have come together to protect and restore the reef through an unprecedented collaboration.
At the center of this effort is Beth Firchau, Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator and a passionate leader with decades of experience in aquatic animal care and conservation. She has coordinated the efforts of Disney Conservation, SeaWorld, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and non-profits like our Foundation to create something extraordinary, a center devoted completely to restoring Florida’s Coral Reef. The Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC) in Orlando is the one of the largest living gene banks of Florida corals in the world and a critical stronghold for coral conservation.
FCRC does more than provide a safe haven for Florida corals. It actively creates the next generation of Florida’s Coral Reef. The center has successfully spawned multiple coral species under human care, including the rare rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox), which has now reproduced for three consecutive years, a first for this species in human care. Thousands of baby corals have already been raised and shared with facilities across Florida, where they will grow stronger before eventually being outplanted onto the reef to help restore wild coral populations.
“We entered into this collaboration to rescue vital building blocks of a critical coral ecosystem,” Beth says. “But now, it’s evolving into a full-scale reef restoration effort.”
That evolution builds on the AZA’s long-standing commitment to conservation. For decades, AZA-accredited institutions have protected wildlife through science, education, and hands-on care. The Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project is a shining example of how those efforts translate to conservation of marine ecosystems. Through this project, AZA accredited facilities like the Florida Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory, Disney, and SeaWorld bring years of coral care and propagation experience to the larger goal of reef recovery.
The impact extends far beyond Florida. The methods developed within the project, including safeguarding rescued corals in specialized U.S. facilities like the Florida Coral Rescue Center, are being shared with coral conservationists in the Caribbean, including in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These partnerships ensure that lessons learned in Florida can help others protect their own backyard reefs.
Beth is optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. “Science tells us that the ocean is changing faster than at any point in geological time,” she says. “Corals are being asked to adapt to conditions they have never faced before, faster than they have the ability to. If we are going to help, we need solutions that are flexible, long-term, and grounded in collaboration.”
She points to three major needs: understanding the urgency of ocean change, supporting the people doing the work, and ensuring there is consistent funding. Coral conservation depends on trained professionals who can innovate, respond quickly, and build scalable solutions. Without support for those individuals and their programs, even the most promising efforts can stall.
“Innovation is possible, but you need to sustain that by making sure people are able to do the work and pay their bills at the same time. We need the resources to push technology, relationships, and brainpower into the next decade, the next century, to deal with these challenges.”
Our Foundation is proud to support the Florida Coral Rescue Center through our “Discover Florida’s Oceans” specialty license plate and donations from our Restoring Our Reefs fund. You can join the fight to support your reef by donating below.
