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Video shot in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Welcome to Reef Discovery Center
Public Education • Coral Restoration • Marine Research
Our Mission
The primary mission of the Reef Discovery Center is to inspire the public to get involved, become ocean stewards, and instill pride in the natural wonder that is Florida’s coral reef tract. Through our onshore and offshore coral nurseries, our mission is also to expand the regional capacity for coral husbandry and reef restoration.
We believe that public engagement should happen through hands-on activities that contribute to the restoration of our reefs. Reef Discovery Center volunteers will have the opportunity to care for corals and to participate in marine research that advances reef restoration practices.
Through snorkel and diving tours offered by our education partners, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the nearby reefs up close and personal. Visitors can thus amplify and enrich their experience at the Reef Discovery Center without even leaving Broward County.
Protection
Research
Propagation
Conservation
Restoration
Ocean Rescue Alliance International &
Reef Discovery Center Partnership
Ocean Rescue Alliance International and Reef Discovery Center are redefining how coral restoration is done, transforming a single facility into a scalable hub for education, innovation, and hands-on ocean action, where anyone can help rebuild our reefs.
Ocean Rescue Alliance International (ORAI) and Reef Discovery Center (RDC) have formed a strategic partnership to advance coral reef conservation through an integrated research, education, and restoration hub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This collaboration transforms the Reef Discovery Center into a living coral lab and public-facing ocean education center, designed to accelerate marine restoration and engage the broader community in hands-on ocean stewardship. Read the full article
Educate and inspire the public about coral reef ecosystems and ocean conservation
Conduct cutting-edge research on coral biology, resilience, and restoration techniques
Scale marine restoration efforts through land-based coral aquaculture and outplanting
Create accessible pathways for students, scientists, and the public to participate in restoration
This builds on the original vision of RDC as a coral lab and education center, while expanding its impact through ORAI’s operational leadership, restoration technologies, and global network.
How the Partnership Works
Operational Leadership & Facility Activation
ORAI serves as the operator of record, managing day-to-day operations, programming, staffing, research systems, and regulatory compliance to ensure the facility meets the highest standards for safety, animal care, and impact.
RDC, founded by Dr. Kirk Dotson, is contributing to the strategic vision.
A Dual-Purpose Facility: Science + Public Engagement
The partnership creates a two-part integrated model:
Reef Discovery Center (Public-Facing Experience) and WeRestore Coral Lab (Powered by ORAI)
A scalable coral restoration and research facility
Supports scientists, universities, and practitioners
Enables coral grow-out, experimentation, and restoration at scale
Functions as a collaborative “co-working space” for marine restoration innovation
Interactive exhibits, aquariums, and coral displays
Education programs, workshops, and outreach
Hands-on restoration experiences for visitors
A platform to connect people directly to ocean conservation
Scaling Restoration Through Innovation
A core pillar of the partnership is scaling restoration beyond traditional models. Through ORAI’s technologies and systems:
Coral can be grown and outplanted efficiently and at scale
Restoration becomes accessible to non-scientists and community participants
Facilities can produce tens of thousands of coral fragments annually in controlled environments
This model addresses a major bottleneck in coral restoration: the lack of scalable, cost-effective coral production and deployment systems.
Community Engagement Meets Scientific Impact
Historically, coral restoration has been limited to trained scientists and divers. This partnership changes that by:
Allowing anyone to participate trainings and future restoration activities
Training the next generation of ocean stewards and professionals
Creating meaningful connections between people and reefs
Through ORAI’s programming and RDC’s platform, visitors can go from learning about reefs to actively contributing to their restoration.
A Platform for Collaboration & Growth
The ORAI–RDC partnership is designed as a collaborative ecosystem, bringing together:
Universities and researchers
Nonprofits and conservation groups
Government and restoration programs
Private sector and blue economy innovators
The facility serves as a launchpad for scalable reef restoration solutions, workforce development, and future marine infrastructure projects.
Why This Partnership Matters
Coral reefs are critical infrastructure for our planet, supporting biodiversity, coastal protection, food security, and economies. Yet they are rapidly declining.
By combining:
ORAI’s innovation, restoration expertise, and operational leadership
RDC’s foundation, location, and educational mission
This partnership creates a new model for ocean conservation, one that is:
