Out Of The Box

Thank You to Out of the Box Thinkers!

Saving the ocean takes ingenuity and innovation. So many things are going sideways in the sea that solving issues that arise there is far from simple. One of our core values at the Reef Institute is "Creativity." Stepping back and problem-solving from a varied perspective will make a difference to our reefs and the ocean. Yet, it takes a visionary to fund innovation. We are excited to have received TWO grants backing our restoration work from different perspectives.

Ballen Isles Charities Foundation generously awarded the Reef Institute funds to expand their work into coral reproduction and birth through the innovative use of a shipping container. This 20-foot space affords the Reef Institute a location to control all variables that might keep a coral from reproducing in the lab. Why is this special? Technology is evolving to allow corals to believe they are happy and healthy in the ocean. As electric lights mimic the moon's light, water temperature is controlled to mirror seasonal changes, and pumps create waves and flow so corals can relax into the ques nature provides. The capacity to make this happen has only been available in a controlled setting for several years.

Observing corals spawning and collecting the gametes from land is much easier and less cumbersome than in the ocean. In addition, it gives a new pipeline for more baby corals to be raised for restoration efforts.

The National Endowment for the Arts gave a push to conservation through their support of our Marine Living Structures Initiative. We have said from the beginning in working with Michael Singer Studios that these artificial systems are functional, sustainable, and cool looking. Recently, they were on display at the Cultural Council of the Palm Beaches in their "Climate Disruption" exhibit. Now, the NEA is funding a large, modular project to go into the water near Delray Beach, Florida.

TRI received funding last year from the Jeff Cook Trust so the project could work with coastal engineers in securing a structure that could better absorb wave energy. Once this process has finished, this funding will help put the more extensive system in the water in an attractive way and helps our reefs along.