Conserving and restoring coral reefs.

a person snorkeling over a vibrant coral reef

Coral reefs are critical to the health of our oceans. They support a wide variety of marine life and serve as nurseries for juvenile fish and crustaceans. In fact, around 25 percent of the fish in the ocean depend on coral reefs to survive. 

In recent years, coral reefs have been heavily impacted by factors such as heat waves, hurricanes, and the ongoing outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease. Florida has experienced an estimated 90% loss of healthy coral since the 1970s.

To support these habitats, Publix has committed over $2.2 million in funding to the National Park Foundation (NPF) since 2022 for projects aimed at protecting, conserving, and restoring coral reefs at Biscayne National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida.

coral reef restoration
Our donations support coral restoration efforts, including disease treatment, marine debris cleanup, gamete collection, and coral outplanting.

Restoring coral reefs at Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Parks.

Publix‘s donations to NPF support coral reef restoration projects at Biscayne National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. Project efforts include large-scale outplanting of nursery-propagated corals, restoring storm-damaged corals, propagating larvae of protected coral species during annual mass spawning events, treating corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease and other diseases, removing submerged marine debris from coral, and rescuing coral from various threats such as high water temperatures.

a woman suba diver taking samples from coral underwater
Combined coral reef restoration effortsOver $2.2 millionPublix has committed over $2.2 million in funding to the National Park Foundation for coral reef restoration projects at Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Parks.
Coral rescue32 coloniesDuring marine heat wave and mass bleaching events, two rounds of coral rescue missions were conducted in which fragments were collected from 32 coral colonies and transported for safekeeping.

Accomplishments to date include

  • protecting, researching, and monitoring 25 coral species;
  • locating, collecting, and transplanting 78 storm-damaged corals;
  • conducting coral disease surveys;
  • completing two coral rescues in response to a 2023 marine heat wave and mass bleaching event;
  • growing more than 1,200 larvae of protected species; and
  • restoring reef habitat through the removal of submerged marine debris.

Other ways we‘re helping.

Through our work with NPF, Publix helps fund the Submerged Resources All-Women Service Corps‘ Wounded American Veterans Experience Scuba (WAVES) teams. This program brings together female veterans in an all-women scuba crew to protect fishes, coral reefs, and ancient shipwrecks. Thanks to Publix‘s support, WAVES has removed more than 8,000 pounds of marine debris from the water, including derelict lobster traps and fishing line.

We have also supported the construction and installation of oyster reef habitats in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with FORCE BLUE through funds raised during the 2024 Good Together Environmental campaign. The project consisted of placing limestone rock along the coast to create a natural living shoreline where oyster spat will grow. This helps to form a natural barrier against coastal erosion, while at the same time helping to filter water and provide a habitat to various marine species.