Reef Relief: 25 Years of Protecting the Florida Reef

Founded in 1987 by Craig and DeeVon Quirolo, Reef Relief started out as an effort to educate boaters and divers about reef damage caused by negligence. The Key West, Florida-based non-profit was one of the first environmental groups to focus on coral reef preservation, a mission it carries out to this day.

Since its inception, Reef Relief has been committed to restoring and improving the coral reef ecosystem of the Florida Keys through education and advocacy. For more than 15 years, the organization has run the Discover Coral Reefs School Program, which teaches local fourth grade students about the importance of the coral reef ecosystem and what they can do to protect it. A glass-bottom boat trip follows the lessons. Another program for kids by Reef Relief is Coral Camp, an educational summer camp for children between 6 and 12.

The non-profit has also established the Reef Relief Environmental Center, located at busy Historic Seaport in Key West. Here, visitors learn about the coral reef ecosystem, its threats, and conservation methods with the help of the center's theater, exhibits, and educational materials.

Other efforts of Reef Relief include coastal cleanups and the distribution of brochures to various establishments in the Florida Keys. To date, the group has given out close to 100,000 pamphlets to resorts, hotels, schools, and Chambers of Commerce. Moreover, Reef Relief has teamed up with community groups and government agencies to organize cleanup activities.

A respected authority on coral reef protection, Reef Relief has worked with scientists, environmental leaders, and government officials to improve water quality standards on the state and national levels. In 1990, Reef Relief received the Point of Light award from President George H. W. Bush for successfully leading the reef conservation movement in the Keys. Over the years, the non-profit has been honored with several accolades, including the 1995 Governor's Environmental Achievement Award and the 1996 President's Council on Sustainable Development.