giving coral reefs a future

"Our mission is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as life-long stewards for animals, their habitats, and their conservation. Partnering with SECORE International for coral restoration connects our zoo guests and our zoo team with the dynamic issues that impact ocean health and ultimately human health. Our intensified and continued support of SECORE International’s work is intended to enhance the global network of scientists and experts committed to securing a future for ocean ecosystems and health", says Dennis Pate, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

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Photos: left) Visitors of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo learn about coral reefs in a designated exhibition and in special education programs (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo); mid) Omaha's coral expert Mitch Carl puts coral larvae into one of the rearing pools tested by SECORE during a reef restoration workshop on Curaçao (Paul Selvaggio); right) Zoo curator Mitch Carl has been supporting SECORE for more than 13 years - providing expertise and contributing to field work. (Reef Patrol) 

The zoo has been supporting SECORE’s work for 13 years, providing funding and expertise as well actively contributing to field work by the zoo’s coral expert Mitch Carl and his staff. In 2017, more than 2 million people visited the zoo giving the opportunity to learn about the importance of coral reefs and SECORE’s restoration work in the zoo’s aquarium exhibit "Saving the Reefs" and in special education programs and events for kids and adults.

With the new funds provided by the zoo’s sponsor DiVentures, SECORE will be able to purchase thousands of coral seeding units, which are integral to upscaling experiments and restoration efforts in the Caribbean.

"The funding provided by the Henry Doorly Zoo will help us to reach our joint goal of outplanting one million coral seeding units as part of the Global Coral Restoration Project", says Dr. Dirk Petersen, SECORE's Executive Director and founder.

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Photo: The Caribbean Reef exhibit at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (Mitch Carl)

Since SECORE’s beginning in 2002, zoos and public aquariums have played a vital role in the development of new restoration technologies. „They know how to keep corals alive, a skill that is essential if you want to grow corals for reef restoration”, says Dirk Petersen. Apart from husbandry aspects and field work, SECORE‘s aquarium partners play an important role in raising awareness for the conservation of coral reefs reaching millions of people every year. 

With its Zoo & Aquarium Partnership Program, SECORE International invites zoos from all over the world to increase their impact in coral reef conservation and restoration.

For more information about SECORE’s Zoo & Aquarium Program please contact Development Director:

Susan Gerrish
e-mail: s.gerrish@secore.org 
phone: +1-(614) 969-3150