There’s nothing quite like sun, sand, and music, but what if you could add ocean conservation into the mix? This year, the Coral Crew from Coral Restoration Foundation™ (CRF) hit Ft. Lauderdale Beach for an epic weekend at Tortuga Music Festival, organized by Rock the Ocean.
when she got the answer correct! Photo: Ashley Zeitchick for CRF
Connecting at the Conservation Village
CRF was invited to be part of the festival’s Conservation Village, a community-led initiative that raises awareness about environmental challenges and encourages eco-conscious action. Located between the Main stage and Sunset stage, this is a dedicated space where fans can learn about marine conservation in engaging, interactive ways. It’s a place for connection, inspiration, and action. CRF is proud to participate in a festival that doesn’t just care about music, it cares about the planet too.
with some of our annual reports/brochures and a mini coral tree! Photo: Ashley Zeitchick for CRF
Inspiring Action, One Conversation at a Time
Our Coral Crew is dedicated to restoring Florida’s reef, sharing the mission of CRF, answering questions, and inspiring action. Whether guests were longtime reef-supporters or just learning about coral reefs for the first time, we were eager to share our stories of reef resilience and connect with the community.
Our outreach booth was filled with educational materials, inviting games, and exciting giveaways. The educational games at our booth, like ‘Kurplunk’ and a trivia wheel, are designed to engage festival-goers of all ages in fun, interactive ways while raising awareness about the importance of coral reefs. Through hands-on activities, we aim to inspire curiosity, spark conversations, and demonstrate how everyone can play a part in ocean conservation- even at a music festival.
Why Coral Restoration Matters
CRF participated in the Conservation Village to turn education into action for one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems: Florida’s Coral Reef. With coral reefs facing serious threats their natural ability to recover is being pushed to the limit.
We have outplanted over 260,000 corals onto degraded reefs since 2007, through a comprehensive approach that goes beyond just outplanting. By developing innovative restoration methods, advancing coral science, and empowering local communities to take action, our efforts are driving meaningful, long-term recovery for reefs and the ecosystems that depend on them. With your help we are able to keep hope alive as we work to restore our precious reefs here in the Florida Keys.
Ready to Make Waves?
Big thanks to the Tortuga Music Festival and Rock the Ocean, along with all the ocean lovers who made the festival a success. Wondering how you can make a difference if you weren’t at Tortuga Music Festival?
Here’s how you can take action now:
- Join our Dive Programs and experience coral restoration firsthand. You’ll spend the day with our team, learning about the challenges reefs face and diving into the work we do. Come explore our coral nurseries, it’s an unforgettable way to connect with the ocean and make a lasting impact.
- Donate! By donating to Coral Restoration Foundation, you’re directly supporting hands-on efforts to rebuild our reefs, protect marine biodiversity, and ensure future generations can experience the wonder of a thriving ocean.
- Follow and share our mission on social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)
- Spread awareness! Spark up conversations with friends and family that raise awareness, share knowledge, and inspire others to care about and take action for coral reefs.
Written by: Ashley Zeitchick, CRF Intern
