When we think about coral reefs, our minds often drift to warm tropical waters thousands of miles away. Last week during Coral Reef Awareness Week, we shared this reminder: protecting these extraordinary ecosystems begins much closer to home. While the awareness week has passed, its message is one worth carrying forward every day. Around the world, dedicated aquarists, scientists, veterinarians, educators, volunteers, and conservation partners come together through the Association of Zoos and...

In collaboration with the AZA SAFE Coral Program's Communications, Education, and Messaging (CEM) Working Group who brought us TALKING CORAL, we dig into some helpful tips to turn talking about our current summer heat wave into an opportunity to talk coral conservation. Summer is here, and with it comes the familiar conversation about the heat. We check the forecast, seek out shade, turn on the air conditioning, and remind one another to stay hydrated. Heat is something we all understand...

If you've been watching the Florida Keys over the past few weeks, you've probably found yourself refreshing the NOAA Coral Reef Watch dashboard more often than you'd like. Unfortunately, the news isn't encouraging. credit: https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/product/5km/index_5km_sst.php (July10, 2026) Sea surface temperatures surrounding the Florida Keys have climbed into the 90°F (32°C) range, already exceeding the thermal thresholds known to trigger coral bleaching. NOAA has elevated bleaching...