Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) and Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), are working together to raise awareness about coral reef conservation in the Florida Keys. For the first time ever, the marine conservation groups will host a special event, “Coral In and Lionfish Out,” to engage the public and raise funds for coral restoration and lionfish removal efforts in the Florida Keys.
THE MISSION - Within the past three decades the Florida Keys barrier reef system has experienced a great loss of biodiversity. This loss of biodiversity includes the population decline of staghorn and elkhorn corals- two important reef building species- and the introduction of the invasive lionfish- a fish that feeds heavily on native reef fish with no natural predators. CRF and REEF are dedicated nonprofit organizations that have been working to conserve and restore our coral reefs back to their previous state. With great progress over the years, CRF and REEF are excited to team up with the public this September.
HOW YOU CAN HELP – You can support this exciting week of events by attending free presentations, participating in the REEF lionfish derby, or pledging your support to CRF and REEF for the combined number of corals planted and lionfish removed during the event. You can pledge any amount from one penny up. For example, let’s say 500 lionfish are removed and 500 corals are planted, if you pledged a nickel, your total donation amount would be $50. All donations are tax deductible and proceeds will fund the marine conservation programs of CRF and REEF. Events begin September 10th, mark your calendars and make your pledge today! For more complete details on all of the events or to make your pledge visit www.REEF.org/coralsinlionfishout.
Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Key Largo, Florida created to develop offshore coral nurseries and restoration strategies for critically endangered coral reefs at local, national, and international levels. To learn more about the restoration efforts of CRF, visit www.coralrestoration.org.
Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is a grass-roots organization that seeks to conserve marine ecosystems by educating, enlisting, and enabling divers and other marine enthusiasts to become active ocean stewards and citizen scientists. The Invasive Lionfish Research program aims to educate and enlist the public in the removal of this invasive species. To learn more about REEF and their conservation programs, visit www.REEF.org.
Contact:
Jessica Levy Jessica@coralrestoration.org (305) 453-7030
Martha Klitzkie Martha@REEF.org (305) 852-0030
