BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute received a huge monetary gift that will better enhance its research.
On Friday, FAU announced that its Harbor Brand Oceanographic Institute was gifted with $300,000. The money came from the Robertson Family Fund for marine research and will go towards studies on coral and seagrass populations, supporting coastal conservation and restoration efforts.
The $300,000 gift was presented by Geoff Robertson, who highlighted his family’s continued commitment to FAU Harbor Branch’s research efforts in the region.
“I am so pleased to be continuing the legacy started by my parents to support environmental science at FAU Harbor Branch,” said Geoff Robertson. “I grew up visiting the area and learning about the research being done here. Protecting our coastal environment for future generations is a long-standing cause important to my family.”
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FAU says the money will support coral research and postdoctoral training through the Robertson Coral Reef Research and Conservation program. The university says the reef ecosystems are key centers of biodiversity, critical habitats for fisheries and protectors of coastlines. Due to coral reefs shrinking from disease, bleaching, and human activity, Dr. Joshua Voss and his team are stepping up efforts to study and protect deeper reefs. They’re also exploring new ways to restore and save shallower coastal reefs.
The money gifted will also go towards the Seagrass Ecology and Ecosystem Science Lab, led by Rachel Brewton, a Ph.D, assistant research professor.
FAU Harbor Branch in St. Lucie County is a 144-acre campus along the Indian River Lagoon with 200+ staff and students, tackling key coastal and ocean issues through research.