The powerful winds and floodwaters of Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in their wake this September, severely impacting Seahorse Key, a vital hub for marine research and education.
The storm’s fury demolished the marine laboratory, a 165-acre island located three miles off the coast of Cedar Key, that served as a cornerstone for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
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“The lab was a gateway to marine science for students of all ages,” lamented Mike Allen, director of the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) in Cedar Key, which operated the now-destroyed facility.
In response to this devastating loss, UF/IFAS has launched a $350,000 fundraising campaign to rebuild and enhance the island’s infrastructure. The project aims to construct a resilient outdoor learning pavilion to replace the demolished building, install a fully solar-powered electrical system, and upgrade the island’s drinking water system.
NCBS is approaching the rebuilding process with a focus on sustainability and resilience. The new marine lab will transition from a vulnerable, trailer-like structure to a robust outdoor learning station designed to withstand future storms. The new solar power system, complete with a backup generator for emergencies, will replace the cumbersome propane and gasoline transportation from the mainland. Overhead fans will provide relief from the heat, and touch tanks will offer students and researchers easy access to marine life.
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Seahorse Key has been a crucial research site for UF/IFAS since the 1950s, attracting researchers from institutions like Santa Fe College, Purdue University, and the University of Tennessee. The island also plays a vital role in K-12 education, with hundreds of students visiting annually for hands-on learning experiences.
“In years when hurricane activity is minimal, UF/IFAS shepherds hundreds of K-12 students from NCBS to Seahorse Key,” Allen said. These field trips provide students with invaluable opportunities to collect specimens, conduct research, and gain an up-close understanding of marine ecosystems, a learning experience that traditional classrooms cannot replicate.
For generations, fourth-grade students from Oak Hall School in Gainesville have cherished their trips to Seahorse Key. Helen Hite, a fourth-grade math teacher, emphasized the impact of these excursions.
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“The kids see the beauty of our great state of Florida during these outings,” Hite said. “When they graduate from Oak Hall as seniors, many say their favorite school memory was the trip to Seahorse Key.”
Allen anticipates the fundraising campaign will continue through the end of the year. To contribute to the rebuilding efforts, please visit ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/donate.
To donate, visit ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/donate.
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