Posts by Christina Sarmiento

Science-Based Coral Restoration Begins in Key Largo Mote Announces Plans for New Land-Based Coral Nursery, The First One of Its Kind in Key Largo  Wednesday, March 1 – Today, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium announced plans for future development to bring science-based coral reef restoration to Key Largo.  A new land-based nursery, the first in…

By Tova Kreps, LCSW, Wellspring Counseling President & Co Founder This last year has been challenging for all of us, and some may be struggling to bounce back after a season filled with stress, fear, or sorrow. Psychologists define resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or…

By Margie Smith SBDC Business Consultant-Florida Keys We’ve kept the membership updated on available disaster loan programs throughout the pandemic so here is an update as of today: We have recent movement on grants for theater owners, funding for restaurants, and PPP application changes directed to the smallest businesses, as well as changes to the…

Preliminary Coastal Flood Maps Presentation

If you’re like 99% of the population, your daily life has drastically changed in just a handful of months. Many of us went from commuting to an office almost every day to a commute from your bed to your home office (and never getting out of pajamas). We’ve gone from meeting guests at the elevators…

NEW PRELIMINARY COASTAL FLOOD MAPS. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Floodplain Maps are used for two primary purposes. The maps estimate the risk of flooding geographically and that risk translates to regulatory requirements for building on the land in various flood zones and insurance rating. The County received new, preliminary flood maps in December 2019 that…

Stephannie Kettle August 12, 2020—Sarasota, FL—For the first time in Florida or Caribbean waters, restored massive corals were observed spawning—part of sexual reproduction that could result in the next generation of coral offspring—thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s innovative efforts to restore Florida’s Coral Reef. Over the past few nights, Mote coral scientists observed…