Ocean Rescue Alliance International and Reef Discovery Center are redefining how coral restoration is done transforming a single facility into a scalable hub for education, innovation, and hands-on ocean action, where anyone can be part of rebuilding our reefs.

Ocean Rescue Alliance International x Reef Discovery Center Partnership Summary

Ocean Rescue Alliance International (ORAI) and Reef Discovery Center (RDC) have formed a strategic partnership to advance coral reef conservation through a integrated research, education, and restoration hub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This collaboration transforms the Reef Discovery Center facility into a living coral lab and public-facing ocean education center, designed to accelerate marine restoration while engaging the broader community in hands-on ocean stewardship.

A Shared Vision for Coral Reef Recovery

Together, ORAI and RDC are working to:

Educate and inspire the public about coral reef ecosystems and ocean conservation
Conduct cutting-edge research on coral biology, resilience, and restoration techniques
Scale marine restoration efforts through land-based coral aquaculture and outplanting
Create accessible pathways for students, scientists, and the public to participate in restoration

This builds on the original vision of RDC as a coral lab and education center , while expanding its impact through ORAI’s operational leadership, restoration technologies, and global network.

How the Partnership Works

Operational Leadership & Facility Activation

ORAI serves as the operator of record, managing day-to-day operations, programming, staffing, research systems, and regulatory compliance to ensure the facility meets the highest standards for safety, animal care, and impact .

RDC, founded by Dr. Kirk Dotson, contributing to strategic vision.

A Dual-Purpose Facility: Science + Public Engagement

The partnership creates a two-part integrated model:

Reef Discovery Center (Public-Facing Experience) and WeRestore Coral Lab (Powered by ORAI)
- A scalable coral restoration and research facility
- Supports scientists, universities, and practitioners
- Enables coral grow-out, experimentation, and restoration at scale
- Functions as a collaborative “co-working space” for marine restoration innovation
- Interactive exhibits, aquariums, and coral displays
- Education programs, workshops, and outreach
- Hands-on restoration experiences for visitors
- A platform to connect people directly to ocean conservation

Scaling Restoration Through Innovation

A core pillar of the partnership is scaling restoration beyond traditional models. Through ORAI’s technologies and systems:

Coral can be grown and outplanted efficiently and at scale
Restoration becomes accessible to non-scientists and community participants
Facilities can produce tens of thousands of coral fragments annually in controlled environments

This model addresses a major bottleneck in coral restoration: the lack of scalable, cost-effective coral production and deployment systems.

Community Engagement Meets Scientific Impact

Historically, coral restoration has been limited to trained scientists and divers. This partnership changes that by:

Allowing anyone to participate trainings and future restoration activities
Training the next generation of ocean stewards and professionals
Creating meaningful connections between people and reefs

Through ORAI’s programming and RDC’s platform, visitors can go from learning about reefs to actively contributing to their restoration.

A Platform for Collaboration & Growth

The ORAI–RDC partnership is designed as a collaborative ecosystem, bringing together:

Universities and researchers
Nonprofits and conservation groups
Government and restoration programs
Private sector and blue economy innovators

The facility serves as a launchpad for scalable reef restoration solutions, workforce development, and future marine infrastructure projects.

Why This Partnership Matters

Coral reefs are critical infrastructure for our planet supporting biodiversity, coastal protection, food security, and economies. Yet they are rapidly declining.

By combining:

ORAI’s innovation, restoration expertise, and operational leadership
RDC’s foundation, location, and educational mission

this partnership creates a new model for ocean conservation one that is:

Scalable
Collaborative
Community-driven
Scientifically rigorous

Reef Discovery Center and Ocean Rescue Alliance Intl. General Fund