Florida’s Coral Reef is in trouble, but hope arrived recently in the form of nearly 1,050 coral babies spawned and raised at the Florida Aquarium near Tampa.

The Aquarium’s Coral Conservation team transported the young elkhorn corals to the Keys Marine Laboratory on Long Key, where they’ll be planted on the reef or nurtured in ocean-based nurseries. The corals include many new genetic combinations that researchers hope will bring new life to one of Florida’s most important marine ecosystems — providing shelter for marine life, protecting coastlines from hurricanes and supporting the state’s recreation, tourism and fishing industries.