Building Coral Conservation CAP-acity

Building Coral Conservation CAP-acity

When the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) partnered with the State of Florida in 2018 to rescue thousands of corals from Florida’s Coral Reef ahead of the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease, we knew it wouldn’t be a quick effort. It would be a marathon.

And early on, one thing became clear: the biggest challenge wouldn’t just be saving corals—it would be building the human expertise needed to care for them.

Corals are unlike almost any other animals aquarists work with. Caring for them requires a unique blend of skills and knowledge. Successful coral specialists must understand organisms that function in many ways like animals, plants, and minerals all at once.

To help build that expertise, AZA’s Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project (FRTRP) launched the Coral Aquarist Program (CAP). Led by Mitch Carl of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, a working group of thirteen AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, universities, and government agencies developed the program and welcomed its first class in 2023.

Three years later, coral science has advanced, husbandry knowledge has grown, and the demand for skilled coral aquarists, both in the United States and across the Caribbean, continues to increase. That means the CAP needs to grow and evolve as well.

Recently, thirteen members of the CAP working group representing nine FRTRP partner organizations gathered in Omaha, Nebraska to help shape the program’s next chapter. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium hosted the meeting, while Georgia Aquarium sponsored a week-long deep dive into the program’s curriculum and administration.

The team reviewed feedback from CAP graduates, trainers, and auditors and incorporated the latest advances in coral science and husbandry. Together they worked to:

• Update the CAP course manual

• Improve the flow of the in-person training phase

• Expand hands-on learning opportunities

• Strengthen the program for coral professionals working in conservation settings

  
  

The group also trained a new cohort of instructors—an important step that will allow CAP to graduate more students each year starting in 2026.

We’re grateful to the partners who helped make this work possible:

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium , Georgia Aquarium , Florida Coral Rescue Center, The Florida Aquarium, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Butterfly Pavilion, Blank Park Zoo and SEA LIFE Orlando.

Of course, it wasn’t all work. The team managed to mix in some fun along the way. Take a look at the snapshots below for a glimpse of the teamwork and camaraderie that helped build coral conservation CAP-acity. Working TOGETHER we can achieve great things!

Let's TALK CORAL!

How do you make people care about animals that act like plants and look like rocks?

Talking about coral conservation is tricky!

We are excited to have collaborated with our SAFE Coral Program partners and the The Human Nature Group (HNG) to create a guide for “TALKING CORALS”.

The guide was developed with input from aquarium and zoo educators across the country and the work of HNG was funded by Disney Conservation. The guide comes in two versions abridged and unabridged to meet the messaging needs of those just entering the area and those seasoned in the art of making coral conservation messages resonates with audiences.

Now more than ever, ocean awareness and the roll corals play in the delicate balance of the ocean ecosystem, must be championed. Help your coral conservation messages resonate!

Find the guide here: https://www.safecoral.org/social-science-projects

I'm Going to Carolina in My Mind....

Well, not in my mind. On the road!

Early August found me doing a road trip through the state of North Carolina visiting some of our Florida Reef Tract Rescue facilities and Nikki Fogarty's lab at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington.

From Virginia Beach its only a few short hours to Greensboro, North Carolina and my first stop, Greensboro Science Center. The dictionary defines a science center as "an institution for informal learning, similar to a museum but with a focus on interactive, hands-on exhibits." Well, the community of Greensboro has so much more in their community science center. Nestled in wooded rolling hills, the center is an aquarium, zoo and science exploratorium all in one. While not a holder of Florida rescue corals yet, the center will be opening a brand new conservation building that will highlight many conservation projects including the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project.

Site of the future conservation pavilion where Florida rescue corals will find a home.

The Saturday I visited, I had the opportunity to meet with the center's animal care team during a lunch and learn. It was informal, informative, and fun.

A great Lunch and Learn with the GSC team!

Their plans for the future are as exciting as their enthusiasm for corals and ocean conservation. Thankyou, Greensboro Science Center for championing ocean health and coral conservation in the communities of the North Carolina piedmont!

Never can resist a big bird.