Coral Connections

Although corals are an amazing part of our natural history, they may not come to mind when you think of Maryland. However, there are coral reefs in the coastal zone of Maryland. You can also find fossilized corals on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, reminders of its distant past as a shallow sea. Corals first appear in the fossil record over 500 million years ago, and they are still around today. At this Nature Connection we will explore corals past and present, learning their biology, their ecology, and the important roles they play in the health and wellbeing of our oceans as well as the current stressors that are causing harm to coral systems throughout the world.

Everyone leaves with a fossil coral!

Presentation, 3:15pm: Corals of Cuba. Cuba holds some of the largest and healthiest coral reef ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere, due to a lack of coastal development, limited runoff from rivers, and extensive marine protection. Many of these reefs are accessible for scuba and snorkeling from the shores of the island. Peter Stern will present his underwater photography, small samples of corals which he was allowed to bring from Cuba, and information about the coral reefs of Cuba and how people can visit them and help to protect them. As an avid snorkeler for most of his life, Peter Stern discovered the coral reefs of southern Cuba in 2022. He has shown his Cuba underwater photography in several art exhibitions.

The program is free, but for planning purposes, we ask that you RSVP.

ABOUT NATURE CONNECTIONS: Nature Connections is a signature program offered to you by the Natural History Society of Maryland with financial support from the Citizens of Baltimore County. Programs, held on select Sundays, are free* and open to the public. Each Nature Connection focuses on a different natural history topic.