We still don’t know why Tela’s reefs are so healthy — but we’re working fast to find out.
Science:
We faciliate 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 to understand what caused a mass mortality event. And we’ve installed coral settlement tiles like the ones on the left to see if this reef is still reproductive and already discovered babies in the bay!
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 the Rebel Reef. 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 including the University of Miami and The University of Texas at Austin.
Community Empowerment:
Tela Marine is Tela’s premier aquarium/research center. They lead all efforts to protect this bay. We amplify their work. Their aquarium attracts 2,500+ visitors monthly. Admission is free — just watch an 8-minute video about the magic of corals. They’re inspiring the next generation of ocean heroes, and we’re excited to help in any way we can.
We’ve been thrilled to mentor one of Tela Marine’s young aquarists, supporting her work to share her stories at an international meeting. We’ve also had the privilege of partnering with Families in Nature to bring students to Tela to participate in scientific research.