Our work here at @telacoral consists of three major pillars; science, media, and community empowerment. Each plays it’s respective role within the long term success of our mission and we wanted to share a little more on what each means to us!

Science - We facilitate scientific work and dream of establishing a permanent science program in Tela. We’ve already raised funds for to begin building a genetic bank, a stereomicroscope with a video camera, and an underwater drill. Our expeditions have begun establishing baseline scientific information including water quality, temperature, and sediment samples.

Media - Unless people are informed about Tela’s corals, they remain vulnerable. One of our priorities is to engage individuals with the skills and equipment to capture these stories through film, photography, sound, and more, documenting the events on #TheRebelReef. We’re thrilled to have attracted the attention of media outlets both in Honduras and in the United States. Our efforts have also brought new attention from top-tier research institutions. 

Community Empowerment - We’ve been thrilled to mentor a young aquarist from @tela_marine, supporting her work to share her stories at an international meeting. We’ve also had the privilege of partnering with @familiesinnature to bring students to Tela to participate in scientific research.

These three pillers factor into our daily operations and have allowed us to forge forward in our efforts to protect #TheRebelReef! 

#ExploraHonduras #VisitHonduras #Coral #CoralReefs #Ocean #OceanConservation #CoralRestoration #ReefRestoration #OceanClimateAction #WINGS #WINGSWomenOfDiscovery #WINGSFlag #WomenInScience #WomenInStem #WomenEmpowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #WomensLeadership #SheInspiresMe #Exploration #Honduras #tela ...

They say you shouldn’t have favorites when it comes to your “kids” but in the case of our coral “children” we have to make an exception. Everyone meet Casita, one of our all time favorite corals to see while working out on #TheRebelReef.

Casita is a type of coral known as Mountainous Star Coral (Orbicella faveloata) and she is HUGE - her width is about 80 feet and her height over 25 feet. Estimates put her age around two centuries. Orbicella faveolata is native to the coral coast of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Along wave swept habitats colonies of this coral will appear flattened, whereas in less exposed regions the same species may well form dome or stump shaped colonies - bet you cannot guess which category our Casita falls into. 

Once a highly abundant, this species has declined rapidly in the last few decades and is now absent in many of the shallow reef habitats it once dominated. With a long generation period and slow growth rate, this species is listed as “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Despite all the stressors that she may face, Casita - as well as others corals on #TheRebelReef - are thriving and serve as a constant reminder of hope for the future of our reefs. 

#ExploraHonduras #VisitHonduras #Coral #CoralReefs #Ocean #OceanConservation #CoralRestoration #ReefRestoration #OceanClimateAction #WINGS #WINGSWomenOfDiscovery #WINGSFlag #WomenInScience #WomenInStem #WomenEmpowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #WomensLeadership #SheInspiresMe #Exploration #Honduras #tela ...

We love being underwater at #TheRebelReef but also recognize that not everyone has the chance to dive into the marine world. However, that doesn’t prevent individuals from learning more about the work that is happening down in Honduras! 

That is all thanks to the AMAZING team over at @tela_marine.

Tela Marine is Tela’s premier aquarium/research center and they lead all efforts to protect this bay. Their aquarium attracts 2,500+ visitors monthly and admission is free — attendees are just asked to watch an 8-minute video about the magic of corals. 

In doing so, Tela Marine is inspiring the next generation of ocean heroes, and we’re excited to amplify their work as well as help in any way we can! 

So the next time you are in Tela, be sure to visit and learn even more about #TheRebelReef. 

#ExploraHonduras #VisitHonduras #Coral #CoralReefs #Ocean #OceanConservation #CoralRestoration #ReefRestoration #OceanClimateAction #WINGS #WINGSWomenOfDiscovery #WINGSFlag #WomenInScience #WomenInStem #WomenEmpowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #WomensLeadership #SheInspiresMe #Exploration #Honduras #tela ...

Did you know that reefs are not only vital for the long term survival of countless marine animals but also for us humans? 

Here in Honduras, these ecosystems provide a variety of services to the local community including that of coastal protection, food security, and jobs. Between protecting our homes from storms/waves and acting as source of food for people who live near them, particularly on small islands, it is evident that we could not live our lives without these reefs. 

It is estimated that over on the nearby Honduran island of Roatan, reefs attract over 1.9 million tourists and visitors each year which contributes nearly $1 billion USD to the Honduras economy annually. We didn’t even dive into the possibility that reefs have an untapped potential for medical research and breakthroughs. 

So outside of our “general” love for these beautiful underwater rainforests we also work to protect places like that of #TheRebelReef because we know that we truly would not be able to survive without them. 

What are you going to do to help protect these vital ecosystems? Comment down below!

#ExploraHonduras #VisitHonduras #Coral #CoralReefs #Ocean #OceanConservation 
#CoralRestoration #ReefRestoration #OceanClimateAction #WINGS #WINGSWomenOfDiscovery #WINGSFlag #WomenInScience #WomenInStem #WomenEmpowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #WomensLeadership #SheInspiresMe #Exploration #Honduras #tela ...