How do we do it?
Promoting Diversity
We are safeguarding and promoting genetic diversity in coral populations around the world.
Scalable Methods
CRF is perfecting techniques for actively restoring coral reefs on an ecologically significant scale.
Tools & Resources
Our evolving methods and high-tech tools are accessible to the international restoration community.
Thought Leadership
We are working to advance ecosystem restoration science and collaboration in the field.
Community Empowerment
We are engaging the public in the mission and inspiring change.
Our Core Programs
We take a holistic, dynamic approach to coral reef restoration. With a focus on large-scale active restoration, informed by the latest research, and embedded in the community, the core pillars of our work are deeply interconnected and reinforce each other to amplify our impact.
Restoration
Taking an ecosystem-wide approach, we are restoring both abundance and genetic diversity to reefs in Florida and beyond.
Science & Technology
Our science program focuses on researching, developing, applying, and sharing best practices in coral restoration.
Education & Outreach
We provide practical, meaningful ways for everyone to learn about and get actively involved with our mission.
One week left to apply for our Fall 2026 Internship!
Think coral restoration could be your next chapter? Apply now via our link 🔗 in bio. The application period ends July 3rd.
Our internship program offers a unique opportunity to dive into the world of coral restoration while gaining hands-on experience in marine conservation. This is your chance to be part of a global movement, develop leadership skills, and jumpstart your career in marine science. 🌊🪸🤿
📷: Coral Restoration Foundation
#CoralRestoration #Internship #FloridaKeys
Did you know we have a second location in St. Croix, USVI? 🌴🪸
Established in 2023 as our flagship satellite location, Coral Restoration Foundation St. Croix has quickly grown into a thriving coral restoration program rooted in both science and community.
At Long Reef, our team is caring for thousands of corals, building in-water nurseries, and partnering with local divers and community members to help restore this vital ecosystem.
"It`s really rewarding, time after time, going back into the nursery and our outplanting sites to be able to see those individual corals grow, and the rest of the ecosystem sort of fall into place when those corals are put back onto the reef." - Bailey Thomasson, CRF USVI Reef Restoration Administrator
🎥: Coral Restoration Foundation + @sharkbanz & @parksproject
#CoralRestoration #StCroix #VirginIslands #SaveTheReef
Each season brings new variables and different priorities for coral restoration. As summer conditions become increasingly unpredictable, our team is in full preparation mode.
As ocean temperatures rise, our outplanting work pauses and we shift focus to maintaining and strengthening our offshore coral nurseries. 💪🪸
“Summer preparations include replicating our gene bank coral genotypes to build redundancy and preserve genetic diversity, lowering Coral Trees, preparing for the potential of hurricanes by installing extra supports, and cleaning all structures to limit biofouling.” - Sam Burrell, Reef Restoration Coordinator
🎥: Coral Restoration Foundation
#CoralRestoration #CoralNursery #SaveTheReef
A little behind-the-scenes look at some of the people, animals, and moments that made this year’s Coralpalooza so special ... and weird 🤪🪸
Restoring reefs is serious work but that doesn’t mean we don`t have a little fun along the way. Thank you to everyone who joined us this year for #Coralpalooza2026 in the Florida Keys! 🌊💙
🎥: Coral Restoration Foundation
🐢: @davalarcon
#CoralRestoration #Coralpalooza #Bloopers
Florida’s coral reefs are at the heart of the Keys experience. 🪸🩵
Three years after an unprecedented marine heatwave impacted reefs across the Florida Keys, our team at Coral Restoration Foundation is continuing the long-term work of rebuilding local coral populations, helping restore the reefs that support marine life, local communities, and the region’s economy.
Between October 1st, 2025 and June 1st, 2026, we returned nearly 16,000 corals from 17 species to 10 reef sites throughout the Florida Keys. More than four out of every five of those corals (over 13,000 colonies in total) were outplanted with funding support from the Tourist Development Council @thefloridakeys.
TDC`s long-standing support is a key part of what makes restoration at this scale possible — one of many partnerships that keep this work moving forward.
📷: Coral Restoration Foundation
#CoralRestoration #FloridaKeys #SaveTheReef
Our Summer 2026 “polyp” interns recently completed their first training day in the coral nursery and they crushed it 🪸
Learn more about our internship program at our link in bio 🔗
🎥: Coral Restoration Foundation
#CoralRestoration #Internship #CoralNursery
Rain or shine, we managed to take large-scale action for Florida`s Coral Reef during #Coralpalooza2026! 🪸🪸🪸
While weather conditions prevented us from outplanting corals on the reef, our incredible community of ocean advocates pivoted to another critical restoration task: cleaning coral trees in our offshore nurseries.
Healthy nurseries are the foundation of successful reef restoration. By removing algae and other organisms that can compete with or disturb coral growth, we helped ensure our corals can feed, grow, and thrive before they`re ready for future outplanting.
Thanks to the hard work of 190 divers, we cleaned an incredible 100 Coral Trees during this year`s event! 🤿 🩵
🎥: Coral Restoration Foundation
#Coralpalooza #CoralRestoration #CoralTrees #FloridaKeys
#Coralpalooza Florida Keys made BIG waves of impact this year!
✅ 190 divers participated
✅ 100 Coral Trees cleaned
✅ 15 boats
✅ 514 hours spent underwater
✅ 1,500+ attendees at land-based educational events
Due to stormy conditions, instead of outplanting corals on the reef, we cleaned Coral Trees in our nurseries. Cleaning Coral Trees is ESSENTIAL for growing healthy `baby` corals for future outplanting. 🪸🩵
With our new Conservation Village and lineup of sustainable local vendors, this year`s Community Night & Bazaar @caribbeanclubkl was the best yet!
THANK YOU to all the organizations, vendors, media and sponsors that helped Coralpalooza Florida Keys make the biggest impact possible:
@motemarinelab
@floridakeysnms
@keepthemflying
@icareaboutcoral
@reef_org
@marinelabkeylargo
@reefrenewalusa
@pennekamppark
@beautifultruthadventures
@keylargolena
@redlanddogsanctuary
@keyzcrafts
@the_keys_re_treats
@lonepalm.yogaandwellness
@rocktheocean
@furykeywest
@georgiaaquarium
@paditv
@keysweekly
@surfriderfloridakeys
@riptiehair
@kahu.tribe
@divingmuseum
THANK YOU to all the dive boat operators that took everyone to the coral nurseries (to clean) and reefs (to observe outplants):
@islandventures
@rainbowreefdivecenter
@captaintonyyoung
@conchrepublicdivers
@oceanfirstkeylargo
@silentworlddivecenter
@horizon.divers
@piratescovewatersports
@oceanreefclub
@southpointdivers
And THANK YOU to @zoomiami & @keywestaquarium for hosting land-based events for the public.
Feeling inspired to get involved? Sign up for the 2027 First Alert List via our link in bio 🔗
📷: @currentsquid & @dan_mele_photography for Coral Restoration Foundation
#Coralpalooza2026 #CoralRestoration #FloridaKeys
