UWCK Keys Area President Leah Stockton and Jessica Dockery, UWCK Reef Revitalization Project Liaison, welcome everyone to the award ceremony.
Sarah Fangman, Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, joined the United Way of Collier and the Keys reef restoration funding event on Thursday, May 20. NOAA, UWCK and partners are undertaking a momentous initiative to restore seven significant reefs in the Florida Keys through Mission: Iconic Reefs.
Keys Area President Leah Stockton of United Way of Collier and the Keys presents Coral Restoration Foundation board and staff with a check for $1,945,926 at Thursday evening’s event in Key Largo. During the event, UWCK awarded over $2.1 million to support Mission: Iconic Reefs, one of the largest reef restoration efforts in the world.
Both grant recipient organizations received custom rashguards for their restoration specialists to wear as they carry out the work of the project on and in the ocean.
Jessica Dockery and Leah Stockton of UWCK, Sarah Fangman of NOAA and Steve Sanderson of UWCK display both sides of rashguards given to awardees.
Reef Renewal USA staff share their vision for this exciting project.
Brandi Horton, UWCK Local Advisory Board member and Sarah Fangman of NOAA.
Ken Nedimyer, Technical Director for Reef Renewal USA, participates in the United Way of Collier and the Keys reef restoration funding announcement event held May 20 in Key Largo. The United Arab Emirates donated $3.5 million to UWCK for reef restoration and education efforts with local partners including Reef Renewal USA.
Guests learn about UWCK's reef restoration inititative.
Coral Restoration Foundation CEO Scott Winters.
UWKC CEO and President Steven Sanderson talks to local press.
Maria Jones, Vice-Chair and Debbie Mathews-Finch, Chair of UWCK Board, visit with guests.
UWCK Local Advisory Board member Karen Williams-deCastro.
UWCK Local Advisory Board member and County Commissioner Mike Forster enjoys the event.
UWCK Board members Peter Berry and Richard Tamborrino discuss this funding opportunity.
United Way of Collier and the Keys President and CEO Steve Sanderson along with Leah Stockton, Keys Area President, present Coral Restoration Foundation President and CEO Scott Winters and staff with a check for $1,945,926. In addition to coral reef restoration efforts at Carysfort Reef, funded work will include internships, outreach and community engagement over the next 5 years.
United Way of Collier and the Keys staff present Reef Renewal USA staff and board members with a check for $176,356. Over the next 5 years, Reef Renewal USA will use this funding to implement revolutionary coral restoration outplanting techniques at Sombrero Reef as well as education efforts in the Florida Keys.
