Iconic Reef Guardians

The Iconic Reef Guardians program offers a unique opportunity for divers as well as snorkelers to get involved in coral reef restoration in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and help to preserve these delicate ecosystems for current and future generations by working alongside a wide array of committed partners. In support of Mission: Iconic Reefs, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary oversee the Iconic Reef Guardians Program.

Iconic Reef Guardians (IRG) works directly with Blue Star Diving Operators, a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary program that recognizes tour operators who are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable diving, snorkeling, and fishing practices to reduce the impact of these activities on ecosystems in the Florida Keys. Blue Star operators take the extra step to educate you to be better environmental stewards and to interact responsibly with natural resources in the Keys. These operators are trained to lead divers and snorkelers through experiences that teach them about coral reefs, coral reef restoration, and allow them to experience the sensitivity and resilience of the coral reef ecosystem firsthand.

In doing so, IRG participants are empowered to be knowledgeable and supportive of coral restoration efforts and subsequently become stewards of Mission: Iconic Reef sites.

Learn More and Get Involved

Photo: Reef Renewal

Ways to Participate

There are currently four program opportunities within the Iconic Reef Guardians Program

Coral Nursery Tour – Have you ever wondered where we raise baby corals for reef restoration? Jump into the turquoise blue waters of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and take a tour of some of the largest and most innovative coral nurseries in the world.

Active Coral Nursery Experience – How do we care for baby corals? Participate in the Active Coral Nursery Experience and lend a helping hand doing nursery maintenance, like cleaning coral trees, that helps baby corals have a safe place to grow.

Reef Experience – Once baby corals are placed at Mission: Iconic Reef sites they need support to grow and thrive. Join an IRG Reef Experience to help provide regular care for corals as well as reporting to support the long-term success of restoration.

Coral Health Experience – Divers and snorkelers help monitor coral bleaching, disease, and resilience by submitting vital data to help our scientists assess the health of the reefs.

Photo: John Reinbott

Mission: Iconic Reefs

Mission: Iconic Reefs is a large-scale, NOAA-led coral restoration initiative within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to restore seven ecologically and culturally significant coral reefs to self-sustaining levels by 2040. Launched in late 2019, the unprecedented effort is a collaboration with world-renowned scientists, local restoration partners, academia, industry, and federal and state agencies.

The coral reefs of the Florida Keys are a national and international treasure of biodiversity, flourishing with glowing life. Threatened by hurricanes, heat-induced bleaching, cold snaps, disease, marine debris, invasive and nuisance species, and increased human use, the degradation of these reefs has spurred an unprecedented, bold undertaking to restore them: Mission: Iconic Reefs.

This innovative undertaking is a collaboration between NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the State of Florida, Coral Restoration Foundation, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, The Nature Conservancy, Reef Renewal and University of Florida.

Together, the partners will restore nearly three million square feet of the Florida Reef Tract, about the size of 52 football fields, at seven key reef sites. It is one of the largest strategies ever proposed in the field of coral restoration.

Iconic Reef Guardians