Discover Florida’s Oceans

This project advanced large-scale restoration of mangrove islands and seagrass beds in the Jupiter Narrows, an important section of the Indian River Lagoon that has been heavily damaged by boat wake and erosion. By preparing final engineering designs and moving the project closer to construction of limestone breakwaters, the effort helped stabilize sediments and create conditions for mangroves and seagrasses to recover. The project supported healthier coastal habitat for fish, birds, manatees, and other wildlife while strengthening shoreline protection and water quality.

This project studied the movements and habitat use of juvenile sea turtles in St. Joseph Bay, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley turtles. By using acoustic tags and underwater receivers, researchers tracked how young turtles used the bay, how long they stayed, and when they moved to new areas. The findings help improve monitoring and conservation strategies for juvenile sea turtles in Florida and support long-term recovery efforts for these threatened and endangered species.

This grant was dedicated to improving coral outplanting methods, optimizing artificial reef designs for marine biodiversity, and studying climate change impacts on marine ecosystems through university collaborations. This project aimed to enhance coral restoration, strengthen reef resilience, and improve conservation strategies.

These funds supported educational workshops, expanded the Coral Rangers program, and enhanced youth accessibility at ORAI’s snorkel park, increasing public engagement and coral restoration success. These efforts led to higher coral survival rates, greater species diversity, and boosted local eco-tourism revenues.

A genetic study was completed on South Florida’s permit fish to understand population connectivity between Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. Using DNA and eDNA analysis, researchers assessed population structure and health to improve sport fishing management. The study aimed to reduce fish mortality and support sustainable practices in key fishing zones.

By installing limestone breakwaters, the project protected mangrove islands and seagrass beds in Indian River Lagoon from wave erosion caused by boat wakes. These efforts helped preserve vital ecosystems for aquatic and bird species.

This project expanded mangrove restoration efforts in the Florida Keys by growing and planting locally sourced native mangroves to strengthen coastal habitats. By increasing nursery capacity and engaging community volunteers, the project helped restore shorelines that protect marine life, improve water quality, and reduce erosion. The effort also provided hands-on education opportunities that encouraged community involvement in long-term coastal conservation.

This project monitored diamondback terrapins at the Deering Estate to better understand population size, nesting activity, and habitat use. By collecting data on terrapin movement and reproduction, researchers identified factors affecting survival in a heavily urbanized coastal environment. The work supports conservation planning and management efforts aimed at protecting diamondback terrapins and their nesting habitat in South Florida.

This project expanded hands-on environmental education aboard the FAU Harbor Branch Discovery Floating Classroom, a mobile learning platform on the Indian River Lagoon. Students and community members participated in on-the-water activities that explored lagoon habitats, wildlife, and water quality using real scientific tools. The program strengthened environmental literacy, inspired interest in science careers, and encouraged stewardship of one of Florida’s most biologically diverse estuaries.

This sponsorship was for the 2024 Right Whale Festival, celebrating the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia to give birth to and nurse their young.

This grant was used to purchase a three-dimensional educational tool about water quality, how polluted water travels over land, streets, yards, and storm drains, and how personal actions can make a difference.

This grant used drones to collect important data on species health and estuary conditions by gathering aerial photos and blow samples from dolphins in Florida Bay, examining issues like pollution, warmer waters, and algal blooms.

This sponsorship was for the 2023 Right Whale Festiva celebrating the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia to give birth toand nurse their young.

This sponsorship was for the 2023 Nature for All symposium hosted by the Marine Discovery Center highlighting the Indian River Lagoon.

Gray FishTag Research provided data for fisheries management. Since 2015, GFR has tagged 58 fish species and conducted satellite tag studies, helping with conservation through education and data collection.

This grant trained the FWC Marine Fisheries to improve team performance.

This grant provided financial support to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator for 2022.

The Florida State Parks Foundation set up a live underwater coral camera at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, allowing viewers worldwide to see marine life, raising awareness and care for endangered coral reefs.

This sponsorship supported a spearfishing tournament targeting invasive lionfish.

This sponsorship supported FWC’s 2022 Marine Turtle Permit Holder Meeting.

This grant provided financial support to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator for 2021.

This sponsorship was for the 2021 Right Whale Festival, celebrating the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia to give birth to and nurse their young.

This grant surveyed public views on climate change risks in the Florida Keys, especially about sea level rise. It used mail surveys and focus groups to understand what influences people’s perceptions and adaptation preferences.

This grant improved coral reef conservation and fishery management in the Florida Keys. Divers collected fish size data using video surveys to help assess fish populations and conservation efforts, also targeting invasive lionfish.

Gray FishTag Research ensured all grant funds went directly to research and tagging supplies. The program, funded by donations, avoided spending on administrative costs, keeping focus on research.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Floating Classroom project made marine ecosystems accessible for Palm Beach County families. It provided hands-on learning experiences on the water, promoting environmental awareness and integrating into school programs.

This grant provided financial support to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator for 2020.

This grant was used to purchase original equipment for the Florida Coral Rescue Center.

This grant was used to purchase original laboratory equipment for the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center classroom.

This project advanced large-scale restoration of mangrove islands and seagrass beds in the Jupiter Narrows, an important section of the Indian River Lagoon that has been heavily damaged by boat wake and erosion. By preparing final engineering designs and moving the project closer to construction of limestone breakwaters, the effort helped stabilize sediments and create conditions for mangroves and seagrasses to recover. The project supported healthier coastal habitat for fish, birds, manatees, and other wildlife while strengthening shoreline protection and water quality.

This project studied the movements and habitat use of juvenile sea turtles in St. Joseph Bay, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley turtles. By using acoustic tags and underwater receivers, researchers tracked how young turtles used the bay, how long they stayed, and when they moved to new areas. The findings help improve monitoring and conservation strategies for juvenile sea turtles in Florida and support long-term recovery efforts for these threatened and endangered species.

This grant was dedicated to improving coral outplanting methods, optimizing artificial reef designs for marine biodiversity, and studying climate change impacts on marine ecosystems through university collaborations. This project aimed to enhance coral restoration, strengthen reef resilience, and improve conservation strategies.

These funds supported educational workshops, expanded the Coral Rangers program, and enhanced youth accessibility at ORAI’s snorkel park, increasing public engagement and coral restoration success. These efforts led to higher coral survival rates, greater species diversity, and boosted local eco-tourism revenues.

A genetic study was completed on South Florida’s permit fish to understand population connectivity between Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. Using DNA and eDNA analysis, researchers assessed population structure and health to improve sport fishing management. The study aimed to reduce fish mortality and support sustainable practices in key fishing zones.

By installing limestone breakwaters, the project protected mangrove islands and seagrass beds in Indian River Lagoon from wave erosion caused by boat wakes. These efforts helped preserve vital ecosystems for aquatic and bird species.

This project expanded mangrove restoration efforts in the Florida Keys by growing and planting locally sourced native mangroves to strengthen coastal habitats. By increasing nursery capacity and engaging community volunteers, the project helped restore shorelines that protect marine life, improve water quality, and reduce erosion. The effort also provided hands-on education opportunities that encouraged community involvement in long-term coastal conservation.

This project monitored diamondback terrapins at the Deering Estate to better understand population size, nesting activity, and habitat use. By collecting data on terrapin movement and reproduction, researchers identified factors affecting survival in a heavily urbanized coastal environment. The work supports conservation planning and management efforts aimed at protecting diamondback terrapins and their nesting habitat in South Florida.

This project expanded hands-on environmental education aboard the FAU Harbor Branch Discovery Floating Classroom, a mobile learning platform on the Indian River Lagoon. Students and community members participated in on-the-water activities that explored lagoon habitats, wildlife, and water quality using real scientific tools. The program strengthened environmental literacy, inspired interest in science careers, and encouraged stewardship of one of Florida’s most biologically diverse estuaries.

This sponsorship was for the 2024 Right Whale Festival, celebrating the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia to give birth to and nurse their young.

This grant was used to purchase a three-dimensional educational tool about water quality, how polluted water travels over land, streets, yards, and storm drains, and how personal actions can make a difference.

This grant used drones to collect important data on species health and estuary conditions by gathering aerial photos and blow samples from dolphins in Florida Bay, examining issues like pollution, warmer waters, and algal blooms.

This sponsorship was for the 2023 Right Whale Festiva celebrating the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia to give birth toand nurse their young.

This sponsorship was for the 2023 Nature for All symposium hosted by the Marine Discovery Center highlighting the Indian River Lagoon.

Gray FishTag Research provided data for fisheries management. Since 2015, GFR has tagged 58 fish species and conducted satellite tag studies, helping with conservation through education and data collection.

This grant trained the FWC Marine Fisheries to improve team performance.

This grant provided financial support to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator for 2022.

The Florida State Parks Foundation set up a live underwater coral camera at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, allowing viewers worldwide to see marine life, raising awareness and care for endangered coral reefs.

This sponsorship supported a spearfishing tournament targeting invasive lionfish.

This sponsorship supported FWC’s 2022 Marine Turtle Permit Holder Meeting.

This grant provided financial support to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator for 2021.

This sponsorship was for the 2021 Right Whale Festival, celebrating the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia to give birth to and nurse their young.

This grant surveyed public views on climate change risks in the Florida Keys, especially about sea level rise. It used mail surveys and focus groups to understand what influences people’s perceptions and adaptation preferences.

This grant improved coral reef conservation and fishery management in the Florida Keys. Divers collected fish size data using video surveys to help assess fish populations and conservation efforts, also targeting invasive lionfish.

Gray FishTag Research ensured all grant funds went directly to research and tagging supplies. The program, funded by donations, avoided spending on administrative costs, keeping focus on research.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Floating Classroom project made marine ecosystems accessible for Palm Beach County families. It provided hands-on learning experiences on the water, promoting environmental awareness and integrating into school programs.

This grant provided financial support to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project Coordinator for 2020.

This grant was used to purchase original equipment for the Florida Coral Rescue Center.

This grant was used to purchase original laboratory equipment for the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center classroom.