The Reef Institute

The Reef Institute The Reef Institute is a nonprofit on a mission for coral conservation through education, research This is accomplished in a myriad of unique and creative ways.

The Reef Institute works actively in research in multiple areas directly related to coral health and growth, protecting the diversity of our oceans. Our educational programming seeks to bring people of all ages from awareness of marine conservation to learning to better steward the ocean at large. Check us out!! reef institute.org

Up close with the Grooved Brain Coral 🪸🔎Let’s take a closer look at Diploria labyrinthiformis, commonly known as the gro...
08/20/2026

Up close with the Grooved Brain Coral 🪸🔎

Let’s take a closer look at Diploria labyrinthiformis, commonly known as the grooved brain coral.

Its maze-like pattern is made up of winding valleys where the coral’s polyps live, separated by broad ridges. A coral colony is made up of many connected polyps. A distinctive groove runs along the top of each ridge, creating the almost double-lined appearance that makes this species so recognizable. If you’re trying to identify a grooved brain coral, looking for this feature can help!

We care for this species in our living coral biobank, where colonies are maintained in aquariums for conservation. Light from our aquarium lights moves across the ridges and valleys, creating a dappled look that helps highlight just how detailed the coral’s surface really is.

These close-up views are a reminder that slowing down and paying attention to the details can reveal just how beautiful and intricate corals really are. 🪸💜

This spring, approximately 1,000 corals were outplanted onto the reef tract in Palm Beach County through The Reef Instit...
08/18/2026

This spring, approximately 1,000 corals were outplanted onto the reef tract in Palm Beach County through The Reef Institute’s restoration program, with help from our staff, volunteers, and partners! 🪸💙

That’s a big step forward from previous seasons, especially given the depth and strong currents our team works in near the northern end of Florida’s Reef tract. Each coral was also grown from a baby before making its way to the reef.

So what does outplanting look like for us?

With support from , our team and volunteers bring the corals to the restoration site, lay transects, prepare and mark attachment points, mix epoxy underwater, and secure each coral to the reef. We then return to monitor them as they grow.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this milestone possible. 💙

📸 Photos by Laz Ruda of

From the cradle to the reef 🪸💙What does it take to give a baby coral a chance to grow on the reef?At The Reef Institute,...
08/12/2026

From the cradle to the reef 🪸💙

What does it take to give a baby coral a chance to grow on the reef?

At The Reef Institute, we care for baby and juvenile corals in our facility, giving them time to grow before they’re ready for their next big step: heading out to the reef.

Once ready, these young corals are outplanted along the reef tract here in Palm Beach County, where they can continue growing and becoming part of the ecosystem. The hope is that one day, they’ll become large, healthy colonies capable of reproducing and creating the next generation of corals.

But getting them there takes a team.

Much of the coral larvae and young corals we’ve raised for restoration have come to us through collaborations with organizations like , the Florida Coral Rescue Center, and other amazing partners. Our restoration work is also supported by partners like , who help us get out on the water and return these corals to Florida’s reef.

From tiny coral recruits in the lab to growing colonies on the reef, every step matters. 🪸

Together, we save the ocean! 💙

No two colonies look exactly the same. 🪸This is Mycetophyllia aliciae, commonly known as knobby cactus coral, in our liv...
07/22/2026

No two colonies look exactly the same. 🪸

This is Mycetophyllia aliciae, commonly known as knobby cactus coral, in our living coral biobank.

In these close-up photos, you can see how much variation can exist within a single coral species. The ridges, folds, colors, and shapes can shift from one colony to the next, giving each coral its own distinct appearance.

Some have softer tones, others show more contrast, and each one reveals a different pattern up close.

These small differences are part of what makes caring for a living coral biobank so meaningful. It gives us the opportunity to observe and maintain a diversity of corals, not just by species, but by the individual colonies themselves.

Together, we save the ocean!

Peanut Island is a special place for us. 🪸For years, our team has been monitoring corals in this area and learning from ...
07/20/2026

Peanut Island is a special place for us. 🪸

For years, our team has been monitoring corals in this area and learning from the colonies that continue to live there. Peanut Island is a busy, urban marine environment, with tourism, boat traffic, and changing conditions all part of the surrounding landscape.

That is part of what makes these corals so interesting. Scientists have studied corals from places like this because they can offer insight into how some colonies persist in challenging, human-influenced environments.

At The Reef Institute, Peanut Island is also connected to our living coral biobank. Some of the rescue corals in our care came from this area, and we have even had rescued corals from Peanut Island spawn in our lab.

These photos are a reminder that important coral stories are not only found on remote reefs. Sometimes, they are happening right in our own backyard!

A closer look at pillar coral. 🪸This is pillar coral, scientifically known as Dendrogyra cylindrus, in our living coral ...
07/15/2026

A closer look at pillar coral. 🪸

This is pillar coral, scientifically known as Dendrogyra cylindrus, in our living coral biobank.

Pillar coral is known for its tall, column-like shape, but up close, you can see something even more delicate: its tentacles extending from the living tissue. These tiny details are a reminder that corals are living animals, not rocks or plants.

Pillar coral is currently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In Florida, this species has suffered major declines, making careful care and observation especially important.

In our living coral biobank, close-up moments like this help us share the detail, beauty, and importance of the corals we care for.

Together, we save the ocean.

A little coral “manicure” goes a long way. 🪸As juvenile corals grow in our living coral biobank, their plugs can collect...
07/13/2026

A little coral “manicure” goes a long way. 🪸

As juvenile corals grow in our living coral biobank, their plugs can collect algae and buildup around the base. When needed, we use brushes and other tools to carefully clean around each coral to help keep the area clear and give it more open space as it continues to grow.

Headlamps help us see the smallest details more clearly, allowing us to work with precision around each coral plug. This lets us be meticulous while avoiding direct contact with the coral.

Small maintenance steps like this are part of the routine care for juvenile corals in our living coral biobank!

Photos of our staff and students during our High School Marine Science and Conservation Program.

Together we save the ocean!

Coral Reef Conservation Through Collaboration! 🪸🌎The Reef Institute recently traveled to San Andrés, Colombia, to partne...
07/09/2026

Coral Reef Conservation Through Collaboration! 🪸🌎

The Reef Institute recently traveled to San Andrés, Colombia, to partner with the Blue Indigo Foundation and support the development of its living coral biobank.

A local coral biobank helps safeguard coral genetics while supporting restoration, education, and conservation of San Andrés’ reefs.

After months of planning with support from AGRRA and CORDAP, our team partnered with Blue Indigo on aquarium setup, lighting, live rock collection, water chemistry education, and troubleshooting water supply challenges.

We also learned from Blue Indigo’s coral outplanting techniques and approach to in-water nurseries, visited restoration sites, saw thriving elkhorn coral colonies, and learned about their on-land probiotic studies.

This effort was also made possible through the support of the McPike-Zima Foundation, which helped equip Blue Indigo’s coral biobank and laboratory.

Coral reef conservation is about sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and building stronger solutions together.

Together, we save the ocean! 🩵
—
¡Conservación de arrecifes de coral a través de la colaboración! 🪸🌎

The Reef Institute viajó recientemente a San Andrés, Colombia, para colaborar con la Fundación Blue Indigo y apoyar su biobanco de corales vivos.

Un biobanco local ayuda a proteger la genética de los corales y apoya la restauración, educación y conservación de los arrecifes de San Andrés.

Con apoyo de AGRRA y CORDAP, nuestro equipo trabajó junto a Blue Indigo en sistemas de acuarios, iluminación, roca viva, química del agua y soluciones para el suministro de agua.

También aprendimos de sus técnicas de siembra de corales, viveros en el agua, sitios de restauración, colonias de coral cuerno de alce y estudios probióticos en tierra.

Este esfuerzo también fue posible gracias al apoyo de la Fundación McPike-Zima, que ayudó a equipar el biobanco de corales y laboratorio de Blue Indigo.

La conservación de arrecifes se trata de compartir conocimientos, aprender juntos y construir soluciones más sólidas.

¡Juntos, salvamos el océano! 🩵

We have great news! Our friends at just doubled the discount for our supporters. You now get 20% off their Reef Safer™...
07/02/2026

We have great news! Our friends at just doubled the discount for our supporters. You now get 20% off their Reef Safer™ sunscreen and ocean-friendly products. Use our code REEFINSTITUTE at checkout, or shop through our link and the discount will be applied automatically: stream2sea.com/REEFINSTITUTE

Every order also generates a donation to support our mission. Together we help save the ocean!

Up close with Colpophyllia natans, also known as boulder brain coral! 🪸Boulder brain coral gets its name from the windin...
07/01/2026

Up close with Colpophyllia natans, also known as boulder brain coral! 🪸

Boulder brain coral gets its name from the winding grooves and ridges across its surface. These brain-like patterns give the coral its distinctive appearance on the reef.

Those grooves and ridges are more than just a recognizable pattern. Like other stony corals, boulder brain coral grows a calcium carbonate skeleton beneath its soft living tissue. This skeleton gives the coral its shape, helps it stay anchored to the reef, and slowly contributes to the reef’s structure over time.

At The Reef Institute, corals like this remind us that reefs are built by living animals, layer by layer. These skeletons do more than support the coral. They create shelter, hiding places, and habitat for fish, crabs, and countless other reef organisms.

That is what makes stony corals so important: they are living animals that help build the reef systems so much ocean life depends on.

Together, we save the ocean!

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West Palm Beach, FL
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