Allison Delashmit talks to state Rep. Jim Mooney during a tour of Mote’s facility on Summerland Key.
Elected officials, coral researchers, lobbyists advocating on behalf of the Keys and an environmental advocacy group convened for a coral conversation on May 14 at Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration. The day included a tour of the Mote facility on Summerland Key, a panel discussion moderated by Logan Luse, state director for the American Conservation Coalition, on coral restoration, followed by a dive and snorkel to view the coral nursery. The panel included state Rep. Jim Mooney; state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez; Kate DeLoach, lobbyist with The Southern Group; Allison DeLashmit, Mote’s director of regional operations in the Florida Keys; and Jason Spadaro, postdoctoral scientist with Mote.
From left, state Sen Ana Maria Rodriguez, Logan Luse, state director for the American Conservation Coalition, and state Rep. Jim Mooney.Allison DeLashmit provides a tour of Mote Marine Laboratory’s facility on Summerland Key. Situated in the heart of the Lower Keys, the facility is located with easy access to the variety of nearby habitats, including reefs, sea-grass meadows, near-shore hard-bottom, mangrove forests and unique terrestrial communities. From left, Logan Luse, state director for the American Conservation Coalition; Kate DeLoach, lobbyist with The Southern Group; state Rep. Jim Mooney; state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez; Allison DeLashmit, Mote’s director of regional operations in the Florida Keys, and Jason Spadaro, postdoctoral scientist with Mote. Contributed photos
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