University of Miami's coral restoration program building community, coastal, and coral resilience.
02/27/2026
// February Reef Report! 🪸
Wondering what we’ve been up to? Dive into our newest monthly newsletter to hear about our ongoing coral research and restoration!
Want to get involved? Click the link in our bio to sign up for our email list! 🔗
// What is coral restoration? 🪸
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean’s surface, but house more than 1/3 of all marine life. These ecosystems are small, but incredibly significant.
In recent decades, they’ve faced extreme decline. Here in Miami, coral cover has dropped nearly 95%, dramatically changing the landscape of our ocean ecosystems.
Coral restoration is one way we’re fighting this decline.
Scientists are growing corals in land based and offshore nurseries, raising thousands of colonies of many different species. To support these disappearing ecosystems, researchers have been planting these corals back onto the reef - a process known as coral restoration.
You don’t have to be a coral researcher or scientist to help! Head to the link in our bio to sign up for our email list- it’s the best way to be in the loop about opportunities to get involved! 🪸
// Dive in with on a Coral Restoration Expedition! 🤿
Each year, we have the opportunity to host a Restoration Expedition alongside divers from the University of Miami Scuba Club! This year, we were joined by the team to document the restoration activities! 🪸
Interested in joining us on a future expedition? Head to the link in our bio to sign up for our email list! When we have upcoming expeditions and events, we’ll send signup information through this email list- it’s the best way to get involved! 🔗
Want to help but can’t dive in? You can still make an impact! Check out our “12 Ways to Help” e-book using the link in our bio and learn how you can become an ocean advocate in your everyday life! 🌊
02/10/2026
// Neon Reef x REEFLINE expedition! 🌊🪸
This expedition marked a huge milestone for the proposed Miami Beach Marine Park: our team’s first-ever outplanting at “Neon Reef” off Miami Beach! We worked alongside the incredible crew from to plant staghorn and boulder corals — the first step in a larger journey to research and restore this nearshore reef site!
Next, we headed to the , where we expanded the number of coral species planted on the underwater art. We also monitored the corals outplanted by .sylviaearle during the Miami Art Week expedition — we’re excited to share that they’re doing great!
Days like this remind us that restoration isn’t about a single dive or a single site— it’s about collaborating and building community to conserve these valuable ecosystems! 🪸💙
02/03/2026
// Transformation Tuesday 🪸
From October 2022 to January 2026, our elkhorn coral outplant shows what reef restoration can achieve. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) was once one of the most important reef-building corals in South Florida — creating complex habitat for reef life and helping protect our coastlines from waves and storms 🌊
Today, elkhorn coral is considered functionally extinct across much of its natural habitat due to disease, warming oceans, and other stressors — meaning it no longer plays the ecological role it once did on our reefs. Without coral restoration, we risk losing the species, and its ecological benefits.
Thanks to active coral reef restoration, we’re seeing progress. This elkhorn outplant is proof that with research, restoration, and community change, we can begin to restore the species that once built South Florida’s reefs — one coral at a time. 🪸💜
02/02/2026
// New year, same mission: healthy reefs 🪸♥️
Our January RAR newsletter is out now—full of coral updates, fieldwork highlights, and upcoming local events!
Dive into what we’ve been up to—and what’s coming next! 🤿
01/22/2026
// Big Game, Bigger Impact! 🌊🏈
Last Friday, we collaborated with and to return to the NFL Green “100 Yards of Hope” coral restoration site, first created during Super Bowl LIV in 2020 to leave a lasting environmental legacy in South Florida.
After the site was heavily impacted by the historic 2023 coral bleaching event, we led a Rescue a Reef restoration expedition to help resurvey and recover the reef site. With the help of our incredible citizen scientists, we replanted over 150 corals, strengthening reef resilience and supporting long-term recovery at the site.
This collaboration shows how sports, science, and community can come together to protect our reefs and extend the impact far beyond the game, from the field to the reef. 💙🪸
01/14/2026
// Official 2026 merch! 🚨
We would like to give a huge thank-you to for helping us bring our new 2026 merch to life! 🎉
Not only do they make awesome, mission-driven gear, but they’re also a proud participant in 1% for the Planet, supporting organizations like ours that are working to protect and restore our environment. 🌿 1% for the Planet businesses commit to donating at least one percent of their annual revenue to environmental nonprofits—so every purchase helps fuel conservation! 🌍💚
Thank you, RSLVE, for supporting our mission and helping us do it in style!
This year’s swag was designed by two of our amazing student fellows! 🐠
💙 Amy Tune, a former Canon Student Fellow, designed our new staghorn sun shirt!
💙 Stella Bilder, a previous Carolan Student Fellow, illustrated our new sea creature t-shirt!
Although we don’t have an online storefront, you can grab your own RAR swag at upcoming outreach events and expeditions—we’d love to see you there! 🪸
12/18/2025
// 2025 Reef Recap 🌊🪸
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re proud to share our Rescue a Reef 2025 Reef Recap—highlighting a year of meaningful milestones, restoration progress, and community-powered impact! 🎉
As we reflect on everything accomplished this year, we want to extend our sincere thanks to you—our followers, our community, and our citizen scientists! Thank you for being a vital part of our mission to protect and restore coral reefs. 💙🪸
