Chairman: Beth Timberlake

We can be a part of an Underwater Garden. Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, F.F.G.C. is spearheading a new “Underwater Garden'' with the Coral Reef Restoration Foundation based in Key Largo, off the Florida Keys. It involves the relatively new idea of propagating coral that can be planted to restore dying reefs. A new reef off Key Largo, and named for the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs is being planted with “adopted” coral. Garden Clubs from all over the state sent in donations and the initial goal of $10,000 was reached to begin the project. F.F.G.C. members and clubs are able to adopt a coral rooting for $100 and sponsor the transplanting of the coral by the Foundation. When these reefs grow, they will be part of reversing the endangered status of the elkhorn and staghorn coral. This will provide a habitat for all sorts of tropical fish for our South Florida Reef, the 3rd largest reef in the world, behind only the Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Reef. Michael Echevarria, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Coral Reef Restoration Foundation, was the speaker for our May 2015 All Members Meeting and updated us on the exciting work being done in the Florida Keys. The Foundation is a non-profit company focused on developing a simple, effective, and inexpensive coral nursery and coral restoration techniques that can be duplicated anywhere in the world where coral grows.