MORAES

With the help of grants, donations, and platforms such as Give Miami Day, we can continue our mission of conserving and protecting our local environment. Below, we've included a brief summary, needed items, and a general cost of what it takes for our projects to run each year. Any support we receive from you will be instrumental in allowing us to continue this work!

1) Sea Turtle Nesting Surveys: a 6-month seasonal project that monitors, tracks, and documents marine sea turtle nesting activity on Virginia Key to observe sea turtle population trends and coordinate conservation efforts

Annual Cost to Maintain: ~$15,000

Needed Items: UTV maintenance and fuel, stakes, nest marking supplies, data tracking supplies, etc.

2) Safe Hatch Initiative: a research project aimed at increasing the number of loggerhead sea turtles reaching the Atlantic Ocean by monitoring nesting predation activity on Historic Virginia Key. By assessing nest activity throughout the season, MORAES and our partnering organizations, can determine the best ecological methods that give our hatchling sea turtles the best chance of survival.

Cost: $20,000

Needed Items: trail cameras, trail camera analysis, wildlife experts, relocation equipment, etc.

3) Cetacean Aerial Survey Project: a research project partnered with Dolphin Research Center focused on collecting marine mammal data through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, as opposed the the traditional, more invasive techniques still commonly used today

Annual Cost to Maintain: $15,000

Need Items: sample analysis, conference fees, travel costs, drones, drone maintenance, boat fuel, etc.

3) Virginia Key Coastal Enhancement: a beach enhancement project focused on removing marine debris and invasive/exotic vegetation and replacing them with native plants. An ongoing project, the end goal is to have the island represent a native, South Florida coastal ecosystem.

Cost: $20,000 

Needed items: outdoor equipment, native plants, food for volunteers, invasive vegetation tools, etc.

Additionally we seek funds to compensate interns, support outreach endeavors, and provide basic field equipment for our staff, interns, and volunteers. We want to continue tackling these, and other local environmental issues in the future with innovative research and conservation techniques. If you ever want to know more about what we do, or if you're interested in volunteering, our email is info@soflomoraes.com