Special Ops veterans from Force Blue and the SEAL Foundation are continuing their mission of restoring Florida’s Coral Reef with help from the National Football League.
NFL Green announced earlier this month that it will serve as a community partner for 100 Yards of Hope, a coral reef restoration mission, begun last year that will extend through the 2020-2021 season and Super Bowl LV in Tampa.
“The NFL has supported community greening projects for 16 years around our signature events,” said Associate Director of NFL Green Susan Groh. “Force Blue was the first partner to take us underwater to work on environmental issues. It is inspiring to see special ops military veterans working side-by-side with marine scientists to heal our coral reefs.”
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The year-long coral reef restoration project, honoring the NFL’s 100th season and America’s military veterans, features Force Blue veteran divers working alongside scientists from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to restore a football field-length stretch of coral reef in the waters off Key Biscayne.
“Through 100 Yards of Hope, Force Blue will be shining a spotlight on the importance of Florida’s Coral Reef, not just to Florida, but to our nation and to the world.” said Jim Ritterhoff, Force Blue's executive director and co-founder. “SEALs and scientists fighting the same fight. It is that collaboration and commitment we hope will inspire others to pitch in and protect this national treasure.”
The kickoff of 100 Yards of Hope was announced by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Secretary Noah Valenstein during Super Bowl Week in Miami.
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Seed funding for the project is being provided by a combination of public and private sector partners, including the FDEP, NOAA, GreaterGood.org, Free the Ocean and PADI.
Corporations, companies, organizations and individuals who would like to contribute to the effort should contact 914.841.7230.