Keys Group Marks World Oceans Day With Plantapalooza
KEY LARGO (CBSMiami/FKNB) - In recognition of World Oceans Day, Key Largo's Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) is planning "Plantapalooza" during which in foundation staff, interns, board members and volunteers will plant 1,000 reef-building staghorn corals in waters off the upper Florida Keys.
Up to 70 divers are expected to sow corals at seven sites including Molasses Reef, Carysfort Reef, Grecian Rocks, Little Conch Reef, Conch Reef, Snapper Ledge and Pickles Reef on Monday, June 8th.
Eight dive vessels carrying the scientists and supporters are to depart from various locations including Ocean Reef in northern Key Largo, Key Largo and Tavernier.
CRF's "Plantapalooza" aims to raise awareness of World Oceans Day, celebrated internationally each year, and the importance of the restoration, preservation and conservation of the continental United States' only living coral barrier reef, located in the Florida Keys.
This year's WOD theme is "Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet," a philosophy the nonprofit CRF fulfills through its unprecedented restoration efforts for Florida Keys coral reefs.
Since CRF's inception in 2000 has planted some 28,000 corals on upper and middle Keys reefs.
If successful, the 1,000 plantings planned for Monday would be the organization's most prolific output in a single day.
The event is being executed under a permit from the NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The Florida Keys News Bureau contributed to this report.