TCI Reef Fund Secures Permanent Home for Marine Research, Education Facility

The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) announced that it has entered into a purchase agreement for a 1.45-acre waterfront property on Blue Water Road, Long Bay, establishing the organization’s first permanent headquarters and research center with dock access and space to house a living coral biobank, wet and dry laboratories, and education facilities.

The property includes an existing two-storey building, a 50-foot concrete dock, and space for modular lab units. Stage 1, already funded in part, will install a fully equipped laboratory and expand TCRF’s living coral biobank, with capacity for 1,000+ colonies, within 10 months of closing.

“This is a generational step for TCI,” said Alizée Zimmermann, Executive Director of TCRF. “A permanent home means year-round science, stronger local training, and faster reef recovery—led by Turks and Caicos Islanders. We’re $200,000 away from closing this chapter and opening the doors.”

Government support for the project has been strong. The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) has formally expressed full support for the rezoning from Low-Density Residential C to Civic to accommodate TCRF’s base of operations, noting the increased national capacity for coral and marine conservation and education.

 The Long Bay Hills Property Owners Association has also indicated community support, emphasizing respectful operations within a residential neighborhood.

“It has been my goal since becoming Chair in 2023, that we establish a permanent home for the T&C Reef Fund for the study and preservation of the coral reefs which protect and sustain the islands, their beaches and their beauty. This could be a hub for cutting-edge research for the Caribbean and British Overseas Territories,” added Chair Joel Goldfarb.

To help bridge the final $200,000 of the purchase, TCRF is inviting the public to join Ocean Legacy Lane, a new initiative where supporters can have their names engraved on pavers that will line the property’s paths. Tiers include Small ($250), Large ($500), Ocean Life ($5,000; 20 available), and Founder’s Circle ($10,000; 10 available).

“This campus will anchor innovative reef research including work with genetics, house a living coral biobank, and, in later stages, aquaculture for critical herbivores like Diadema, King Crab, and the culturally important Queen Conch are all possibilities we look forward to exploring. All of this while opening our doors wider to schools, researchers, and the public,” added Zimmermann.

Donate or sign up for a paver today at tcreef.org/donate  Every gift moves TCI closer to a resilient ocean future.