A Community Rallies to “Raise the Reef” at the Coral Restoration Foundation™ 7th Annual Gala

  • In the last 30 years, we have lost 50% of the world’s shallow-water coral reefs.

  • The Florida Reef Tract has lost almost 98% of its live coral cover since the 1970s.

  • The Florida-based Coral Restoration Foundation™ is the largest coral restoration organization in the world.

  • Coral Restoration Foundation™ developed the now-famous Coral Tree™. Their methods are widely recognized as some of the most cost-effective and scalable for restoring coral reefs.

  • On April 6, 2019 Coral Restoration Foundation™ will be holding its 7th annual fundraising gala, Raise the Reef 2019, at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club.

  • The event is being sponsored by Ocean Reef Club, Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Capital Bank Foundation, Tom Thumb Food Stores Inc., and American Spirits Exchange.

  • The dynamic superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sarah Fangman, and the charismatic wildlife journalist, Will Stolzenburg, will be giving keynote presentations at the event.

 

The Florida Reef Tract is the world’s third largest barrier reef and the only barrier reef in the continental United States. It is estimated to have an economic value of more than eight billion dollars, providing a playground for tourists, a resource for commercial and recreational fisheries, and an essential natural barrier that protects coastal infrastructure from waves and storm surges.

 

Yet, in the last 40 years, the Florida Reef Tract has lost more than 97% of its dominant coral populations. The situation is critical.

 

Thankfully, Coral Restoration Foundation™ has been working to restore Florida’s reefs since 2007. The 501 (c)(3) non-profit has grown to become one of the world’s leading coral restoration organizations at the cutting edge of restoration science, research, and education.

 

The organization developed a technology that enables people to grow huge quantities of coral quickly and cost-effectively – the famous Coral Tree™. The Coral Tree™ is now used by restoration groups around the world and is widely recognized as one of the best techniques for coral propagation available.

 

Coral Restoration Foundation™ has returned over 80,000 critically endangered corals to the Florida Reef Tract in the last 12 years, and research shows that these corals are thriving.

 

A community of support

The Coral Restoration Foundation’s™ vital work would not be possible without the support of a wider community. This support is being demonstrated in style at their 7th annual fundraising gala, Raise the Reef 2019.

 

Raise the Reef is once again being held at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club, highlighting a relationship between these two groups that demonstrates the world-changing power of collaboration. Ocean Reef Club and Coral Restoration Foundation™ are working together towards the full, ecosystem-level restoration of the iconic Carysfort Reef. This collaboration will ensure that 30,000 critically endangered corals are returned to Carysfort Reef by 2020.

 

A night to remember

Raise the Reef 2019 promises to be a night to remember, with every detail designed to speak to the mission of saving and restoring coral reefs. The event aims to be as sustainable as possible; it will be plastic-free and offers a sustainable menu featuring lionfish (an invasive species) and premium vegetarian dishes. Live mangrove seedlings, donated by MANG, will grace the tables as centerpieces. After the event, these seedlings will be planted along the coast as part of the effort to restore Florida’s mangrove forests.

 

Two world-renowned advocates for our natural world will give inspiring presentations – Sarah Fangman, Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and Will Stolzenburg, a celebrated wildlife journalist.

 

During the live auction, guests will have the opportunity to bid on one of the last available Limited Edition Oris Staghorn Restoration watches, as well as an original painting by the renowned marine life artist BJ Royster, member of the Ocean Artists Society and the Ocean Reef Art League, and the opportunity to dive with the Coral Restoration Foundation™ in their Coral Tree Nursery™ to witness the annual coral spawn – an amazing natural phenomenon.

 

Raise the Reef 2019 is sponsored by Ocean Reef Club, Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Capital Bank Foundation, Tom Thumb Food Stores Inc., and American Spirits Exchange, with drinks provided by Bombora Vodka, Black Coral Rum, and the Florida Keys Brewing Company.

 

Tickets for Raise the Reef 2019 are currently on sale.

 

To reserve your place go to: https://www.coralrestoration.org/raise-the-reef-2019

 

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