IN PICTURES: KML OPEN HOUSE DRAWS RECORD CROWD

By
Tiffany Duong
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KML’s open house features the marine research field station and its key collaborators.

Keys Marine Lab (KML) knows how to throw a party. For their first open house since the pandemic, the marine research field station, which is affiliated with Florida Institute of Oceanography, had over 200 people in attendance on their Layton campus. Before the event even began, 30 people had lined up to get in, said Director Cindy Lewis. Educational and community booths highlighted the work of KML and its key collaborators, including Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, I.CARE, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, FWC Coral Rescue, FWC Restoration Ecology and Coral Restoration Foundation. KML’s JD Reinbott, who planned the event, said, “Our large turnout really highlights the important role that community engagement plays in protecting our precious ocean resources. I have so much hope for our reefs and environments seeing how many passionate people are willing to learn and help.”

CRF intern Julian Maheu demonstrates how to use their 360 cameras to virtually dive on the reef.
KML’s open house draws over 200 attendees from all over Monroe County and beyond.
KML’s open house features the marine research field station and its key collaborators.
Participants in the open house celebrate KML’s newest seawater system.
Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, a key collaborator of I.CARE and KML, discusses its ocean initiatives.
KML’s JD Reinbott, who planned the open house, celebrates a successful turnout.
Families and kids from all over Monroe County and even up in Miami stop by KML to learn more about protecting our marine environments.
I.CARE founder Mike Goldberg, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Sarah Fangman and KML Director Cindy Lewis lead community efforts to steward the Florida Keys waters.
Bill Sharp, the head of FWCRI’s restoration ecology group, talks to guests about using sea urchins in restoration work.
KML is known for its support of coral research initiatives.
FWCRI Coral Rescue’s Devon Pharo talks about groundbreaking efforts to bank Keys corals ahead of stony coral tissue loss disease.

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