Saving Our Seas: On the Front Lines of Protecting Florida's Coral Reefs

Florida's coral reefs are invaluable natural treasures facing unprecedented threats from disease, climate change, and pollution. This critical discussion brings together leading scientists and conservation experts who are actively working to understand, treat, and rebuild these vital ecosystems. Join our panelists as they take you to the front lines of this crisis, sharing groundbreaking research on coral resilience, disease resistance, and innovative restoration techniques that are essential to securing the future of our oceans.

Discussion Highlights

• Building Resilience into Coral Reef Communities: Dive into the science of coral survival. Experts will share research on identifying and cultivating stress-tolerant "super corals" with enhanced disease resistance. This work provides the genetic foundation for strategically strengthening Florida's remaining reef communities against future changes.
• Innovative Coral Restoration Techniques: Discover the advanced methods used to rebuild reefs, including advanced outplanting and nursery strategies. Learn how scientists are creating and nurturing new reefs designed to survive rising ocean temperatures, new disease outbreaks, and more frequent bleaching events.

• The Future of Coral Reefs in Florida: Get the latest assessment of Florida's reef health. This discussion will look forward, exploring how the innovative research and techniques (e.g., "super corals") are being applied to give our reefs a long-term prognosis for recovery and survival.

Schedule

Panel discussion: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Reception with refreshments: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Panelists

Steven Vollmer, Ph.D.

Director of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability and Professor of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University

Molly Moynihan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University

Joshua D. Voss. Ph.D.

Research Professor, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University

Leneita Fix

Executive Director/CEO, the Reef Institute

Live Oak Pavilion room,

Student Union building (UN-31)

Florida Atlantic University

777 Glades Road

Boca Raton, FL 33431

Visit here for maps, parking, and turn-by-turn directions: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers/#map

Guests can park for free during this event. Parking can be found in Parking Garage 1 to the north of the Student Union.

L earn more and view a map for parking: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers/#map.

V isit: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers.