Publix’s “Good Together” environmental campaign donations are supporting coral restoration efforts in the Florida Keys through a coral field nursery consisting of 25 coral trees with the help of military veterans from Force Blue.
A coral tree is anchored to the ocean floor and has floats (or buoys) to keep it upright. Coral fragments are hung from the branches of the tree, allowing them the opportunity to grow freely and adapt to ocean conditions.
Force Blue is the only nonprofit organization in the world that retrains and redeploys former Special Operations veterans and military-trained combat divers to work alongside scientists, environmental agencies and community leaders on marine conservation missions.
Built by support associates in Lakeland, the coral trees were transported to the Keys using the Publix Good Together truck. From there, military veterans from Force Blue and local scientists anchored the trees to the ocean floor within what is now known as the Publix Coral Nursery — an extension of an existing Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium underwater coral field nursery. The team then attached small fragments of coral which can grow and later be transplanted to existing reefs to help rehabilitate the coral population.
“It is a great honor for our company to be able to support such an important local project aimed at conserving and restoring coral reefs,” said Paul Osley, Publix director of environmental and sustainability programs. “With the help of Force Blue and local scientists with Mote and I.CARE, this coral field nursery will help rebuild these important habitats.”
Publix began funding environmental projects with Force Blue in 2023, with the creation of Force Blue’s Quick Reaction Force, giving the organization the ability to respond quickly to environmental emergencies. Publix committed to covering the costs associated with the first deployments. Force Blue has also been a recipient of a portion of the Publix Good Together environmental campaign funding since 2024, allowing them to complete marine debris removal and coastal conservation projects across Florida.
