The Plant A Million Corals Foundation (PAMCF) has established a land-based coral nursery in the Florida Keys as a demonstration facility focused on two primary objectives: (1) developing a scalable, energy-efficient system to propagate corals for restoration, and (2) providing an educational facility focused on the current condition of the Florida Keys coral reef tract ecosystem for both the community and tourists. The facility occupies a novel niche within marine aquaculture, addressing the need for land-based coral culture in locations where electrical infrastructure is limited or absent, while maintaining an open-door policy that supports public engagement, workforce development, and hands-on learning.
Clean, temperature-stable seawater from an on-site well reduces exposure to nearshore pathogens and minimizes energy demands for thermal regulation. Together with solar-powered life support systems, this enables scalable, cost-effective coral propagation without reliance on utility-supplied power. This approach reduces long-term operational costs associated with rising energy prices and minimizes labor demands through simplified system design, an increasingly important consideration as restoration programs face tightening budgets and declining financial support. Additionally, the standalone nature of the system enhances resiliency, reducing vulnerability to grid instability and supporting continued production during extreme weather events.
Situated on a four-acre agricultural property in the heart of the lower Florida Keys, the facility is readily accessible to residents, students, and tourists, providing opportunities for K-12 programming, volunteer training, and community-based stewardship. Collectively, these features position the facility as a replicable model that expands restoration capacity in underserved reef-adjacent communities, strengthens local education and outreach infrastructure, and improves the economic feasibility of land-based coral aquaculture.