Climate change is the single greatest threat to coral reefs. Yet in the race to beat the odds, some reefs are already winning. Their incredible corals can survive extreme heat, even as others bleach and die. They are Super Reefs, and they could secure the future for all corals.

But even Super Reefs are vulnerable to damage and pollution. How can we ensure they survive to pass their resistant genes to future generations? And how can we share their remarkable stories?

We propose to harness the infrastructure and expertise of large public aquariums (LPAs) across the U.S. to establish a nationwide network of Super Coral Zoos, each with three key components: a public exhibit of living Super Corals; a behind-the-scenes live bank to propagate diverse Super Coral species, and a long-term frozen repository of Super Coral DNA to preserve their genomes for future repopulation efforts.

Many U.S. LPA’s already have popular coral reef exhibits and an enthusiastic public following. With our successful proof-of-concept, we will enlist LPAs across the U.S., catalyzing a nationwide collaborative network of Super Coral Zoos. Working together, we will draw America’s attention to the fight for survival of the world’s strongest corals, and gain public support for our efforts to protect them. At the same time, we will guarantee long-term, land-based protections for Super Corals.

The technology to undertake such an endeavor did not exist five years ago. Today, we have the tools to guarantee a healthy future for coral reefs and all who value and depend on them.

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