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Summerland Key, Florida Keys

Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

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About This Campus

Situated in the heart of the Lower Keys and only 24 miles from Key West, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) is a fully equipped marine science facility dedicated to marine research and education in the Florida Keys.

The facility is located with easy access to the variety of nearby habitats, including reefs, sea-grass meadows, near-shore hard-bottom, mangrove forests and unique terrestrial communities, most within the protection of National Wildlife Refuges and NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

24244 Overseas Highway
Summerland Key, FL 33042

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Public tours offered Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

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(305) 745-2729

What's Here

Corals being grown by Mote Marine Laboratory at our Key Largo Coral Nursery on the property of Reefhouse Resort & Marina

Research Behind the Scenes

Discover how we’re saving coral reef ecosystems.

Coral Reef Research

Closeup of a child using a dip net and touching a small fish during a Mote education program

Tours & Education Programs

See our science in action, learn about our oceans.

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Image of a lab space with counters, cabinets and scientific equipment.

Work With Us

Resources for visiting scientists, students, groups.

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Internships

Gain valuable hands-on experience.

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A Mote staff member speaks to members of the public at an outreach event in the Florida Key.

Volunteer Opportunities

Give your time, be part of something meaningful.

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Reef License Plate

Get the Protect Our Reefs license plate.

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Dr. Erinn Muller, Staff Scientist, Program manager, Science Director at Mote Marine Laboratory samples coral.

Grant Opportunities

Apply for Protect Our Reefs Grants.

A scuba diver gives the thumbs up next to a tree of coral fragments.

Dive Programs

Explore our coral restoration dive program partnerships.

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Center of Excellence

Meet the Alfred Goldstein Institute for Climate Change Studies.

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Get a Closer Look

Mote’s research and restoration activities are permitted by NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS-2021-171 & FKNMS-2021-172) and pursuant to a Special Activity License by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (SAL-22-2406-SCRP).

A view of the water from Mote's facility in Summerland Key.

Mote staff and a research vessel at Mote's Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) in the Florida Keys

Impact & Features

After its construction in 2017, Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration became the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold Commercial certified building in Monroe County, honored for its outstanding, eco-friendly design and construction.

19,000 square feet of research, education, offices and dormitories, WiFi and convenient access to Lower Florida Keys coral reef sites.
Category-5 hurricane resistant, precast concrete-based building.
Eco-friendly design includes 30.1 kilowatt solar panels, rainwater capture system, and high-efficiency heating and cooling.

Formerly named the Tropical Research Laboratory, IC2R3 is now home to a variety of current Mote programs with ongoing research at IC2R3, including:

Support Our Coral Research

If you wish to support Mote’s diverse and dedicated research and restoration efforts with coral reefs, please become a donor today. Questions? Contact Andria Piekarz at 941-388-4441, ext. 352, or apiekarz@mote.org.

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