The Washington D.C. Area Marine Aquarist Society, Inc. (WAMAS) has just become a Patch Reef Sponsor, donating $25,000 to Coral Restoration Foundation, the nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Key Largo, Florida created to develop offshore coral nurseries and restoration strategies for critically endangered coral reefs at local, national, and international levels. Reef Sponsors partner with the Coral Restoration Foundation on an annual basis to protect and restore designated restoration sites along the Florida Reef Tract—the only barrier reef system in the United States, and the third largest barrier reef system in the world.

The generous donation from WAMAS will directly support the Intern Program at Coral Restoration Foundation and provide one intern position over the next two and a half years.

“This donation comes directly from the proceeds of our hosting MACNA® 2015 last fall. We are very pleased and excited to be able to offer meaningful support Coral Restoration Foundation and their leading-edge conservation program to protect and restore at-risk reef habitats. And we hope that, by making this donation, we will inspire other clubs and future MACNA teams to consider similar, philanthropic gestures.” said Tom Land, WAMAS President.

Coral Restoration Foundation CEO Scott Winters states, “The generous gift WAMAS has provided to the Coral Restoration Foundation is an important step in advancing our education outreach. Our intern program is a unique educational opportunity for the next generation of science-based conservationists. We are honored to partner with WAMAS and hope that it inspires others to commit to conservation focused education.”

WAMAS is a non-profit educational society committed to promoting interest in and enjoyment of all aspects of the marine aquarium hobby by educating the public on the creation and maintenance of a marine ecosystem. They provide resources to the saltwater aquarium enthusiasts in the Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland area by sponsoring meetings, educational seminars, lectures, online discussions, publications, websites, exhibits, and other means, as a social avenue to connect with other local hobbyists in our area. WAMAS supports education, research and conservation efforts improving marine and coral reef environments.