Welcome to the I.CARE Blog: Restoring Islamorada's Reefs, One Coral at a Time
Hello, and welcome to the very first post on the I.CARE blog. 🌊
If you've found your way here, chances are you already care about the ocean — maybe you're a diver, a Keys local, a visitor who fell in love with Alligator Reef, or simply someone who believes coral reefs are worth fighting for. Whoever you are, we're glad you're here. This space is where we'll share the stories behind the science: what's happening on the reef, who's making it happen, and how you can be part of it.
So before we dive into everything to come, let us introduce ourselves.
Who We Are
I.CARE stands for Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education. We're a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada and the Florida Keys — including the world-famous Alligator Reef — and to bringing our community along for the journey.
The idea was born the way a lot of good ideas are: over a beer. After a conference on the future of reefs, coral scientist Dr. Kylie Smith and Mike Goldberg, owner of Key Dives, got to talking. Kylie brought the science, the technology, and years of research into what actually helps transplanted corals survive. Mike brought the passion of the recreational diving community and a simple, powerful question: who better to restore our reefs than the people who dive them every day?
By January 2021, we had transplanted our first corals onto Alligator Reef. We haven't stopped since.
What Makes Us Different
I.CARE built the first community-based approach to reef restoration in the middle Florida Keys — and community is still the heart of everything we do.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
Divers work alongside scientists. Recreational divers train with us to transplant and maintain corals and sponges, monitor reef health, and remove marine debris. You don't need to be a marine biologist to make a real difference underwater.
Non-divers are just as essential. Land-based coral husbandry, education programs, and outreach keep the whole operation running and inspire the next generation of reef stewards.
We partner locally. Working with local dive shops, Mote Marine Lab, Keys Marine Laboratory, and permitting agencies, we turn everyday dive trips into hands-on conservation.
Today, we care for more than 3,500 corals — and these are some of the most resilient corals we've ever worked with, having survived the worst bleaching event in our history in 2023. We've also launched a full-scale sponge restoration program and begun training local school kids, because restoring a reef isn't a one-season project. It's a generational one.
Why It Matters
Coral reefs are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth. They feed and shelter thousands of species, protect our shorelines from storms and erosion, and support the tourism and fishing economy that the Florida Keys depend on. When the reef thrives, the whole community thrives with it.
That's the "by proxy" part of our mission: restore the reef, and you help restore the local economy and way of life that grew up around it.
What's Next on This Blog
This is where we'll keep you in the loop. Expect:
Reef updates and coral outplanting milestones
Stories from our divers, interns, and partner dive shops
Behind-the-scenes looks at our nurseries — corals and sponges
Ways to get involved, whether you're underwater or on land
Come Be Part of the Solution
You don't have to live in the Keys — or even own a wetsuit — to help our reefs. You can join a coral outplanting dive, support us from afar, cut down on single-use plastic, or simply share these stories with someone who cares.
Restoring hope to Florida's Coral Reef is a team effort, and there's a place in it for you.
Welcome to I.CARE. Let's rebuild a reef together. 🪸
Ready to get involved?
Check out our dive and transplant schedule, or reach out at info@icareaboutcoral.org.
We'd love to have you.
