Also in 1988, MRDF organized and hosted  the “Coral Reef Management Workshop,” an event that brought scientists and resource managers from all over the world to Key Largo to discuss the health and management of the Keys’ coral reef tract and expand it to include other Caribbean reefs.  As a result of that workshop, the MacArthur Foundation granted $789,000 to the Florida Institute of Oceanography for coral reef research and monitoring. 

MarineLab Education Programs: 1985 - present day

The Early Years: 1970 - 1983 | Habitat Programs: 1984- present |TEEC and MITS: 1992 - 1998

MarineLab studentThe MarineLab Environmental Education Program hosted its first non-diving program in 1985. Since then, the program has grown by leaps and bounds, largely under the direction of Art Mitchell (now retired). Today, it is a vibrant, dynamic program that has attracted schools from all across the United States and elsewhere, and has received numerous accolades and praise for the programs, staff, and curriculum.

In addition to the snorkeling programs for students from 5th grade through college, MarineLab has also provided teacher training and Elderhostel programs through the years.

From 1989 to 1991 MRDF organized and hosted a series of 14-day summer workshops focusing on Marine Ecology and Technology.  The program was funded by NOAA’s National Undersea Lab Program and attracted 500 teachers from across the continental United States and as far away as American Samoa, Alaska and The Virgin Islands.

In 1991, the Florida Advisory Council on Environmental Education funded a teacher workshop called "The Political and Economic Realities of Environmental Protection." Based on the creation, planning, and structure of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the workshop was presented to 70 Florida middle and high school science teachers.

Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties in South Florida have all funded teacher inservice workshops at various times at MarineLab.