by Wendy Westbrook | Aug 31, 2017 | Challenge News, In the News, Media, Research News
This summer scientists, veterans, teenagers, and researchers joined forces to restore the Hope Reef off the coast of Looe Key, Florida. About 36 volunteers planted 500 corals in a single day, the most planted in one day since the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge, SCUBAnauts International, and Mote Marine Laboratory began working together in 2012.
The organizations participate in annual day-long dives to restore Florida’s decaying barrier reef, which is a critical piece of the marine eco-system. The corals were raised in a nursery by scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory on Summerland Key who directed the volunteers. The group has planted more than 1,600 corals in total on the 50-yard-by-20-yard reef five miles offshore.
Marine research wasn’t the only science taking place that day. The dive also provided a unique environment for prosthetics research, with many of the veteran volunteers having prosthetic limbs. The University of Hartford’s College of Education, Nursing and Health Profession’s (ENHP) Assistant Professor Duffy Felmlee joined the combat-wounded veterans underwater to observe how they use balance and other strategies to perform tasks. Felmlee, with University of Harford graduate Michael McCauley, an orthotist/prosthetist and researcher, also attached sensors to the veterans’ legs to observe movement. The goal of the research is to increase the body of knowledge in regard to swimming with a prosthesis.
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by Wendy Westbrook | Jun 29, 2017 | Challenge News, In the News, Media
Members of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC) and SCUBAnauts International joined forces with half-a-dozen scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory for a one-day, record-breaking mission on a Florida Keys reef. They planted 500 corals in a day.
The number of corals planted marked the most-ever the groups have planted in a single day since they began working together in 2012. All told, the groups have planted more than 1,600 corals in an area unofficially named “Hero’s Reef” in honor of all current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Original Article
by Wendy Westbrook | Jun 26, 2017 | Challenge News, In the News, Media
On Tuesday, June 27, members of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge and SCUBAnauts International will join forces with scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory to plant 500 nursery grown corals near Looe Key.
Members of the media are invited to join the trip, though there are only a LIMITED NUMBER of spaces available for media divers and snorkelers. (Details below) Please email nadine@vettedcommunications.com to register your interest and see if spots are still available. Your space will not be confirmed until you’ve spoken with Nadine (239-339-7914).
Members of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge work with Mote scientists and SCUBAnauts youths to help restore a reef in the Florida Keys.
This event, being conducted under Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) permit #2015-163-A1, marks the sixth year of a unique coral restoration partnership that enables citizen science volunteers to participate in cutting-edge marine habitat restoration. It will also be the first time the groups have come together since the opening of the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) at Mote. The IC2R3 is advancing coral reef research using new seawater systems, raceways and experimental tanks for studying the effects of rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification on multiple species. The Lab is also equipped for next generation genomic sequencing and analyses that will help uncover the best genetic strains of corals for reef restoration and more.
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by Wendy Westbrook | Nov 1, 2016 | Amazing Stories, In the News, Inspiration
No matter how bad your day is going, there is always a wounded veteran out there struggling to accomplish what most of us would think was the impossible. The wounded veterans we work with are the most resilient and amazing people on the planet. Just knowing them is an absolute honor. Here’s Holly Katke showing the rest of the world that you can get shot in the head by a sniper, and overcome the nightmare that accompanied…to get a college degree! Way to go Holly!! You are an inspiration to so many!
by Wendy Westbrook | Jul 23, 2016 | Challenge News, In the News, Media
CWVC participants are in the news all over the Keys! They are making a difference in the lives of wounded veterans, and for wounded reefs…
Recently, members of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge and SCUBAnauts International joined forces with scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory to plant nursery-grown corals near Looe Key. This event marked the fifth year of a unique coral restoration partnership that enables citizen science volunteers to participate in cutting-edge…
Read the article here: http://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2016-07-23/4454_Florida-Key-Coral-Restoration
by Wendy Westbrook | Jul 23, 2016 | Challenge News, In the News, Media
On Monday, July 18, members of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge and SCUBAnauts International will join forces with scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory to plant nursery-grown corals near Looe Key.
This event will mark the fifth year of a unique coral restoration partnership that enables citizen science volunteers to participate in cutting-edge marine habitat restoration…
Read the article here: http://newswise.com/articles/scientists-teens-and-veterans-to-mark-5th-year-of-coral-restoration-in-the-florida-keys
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