If you happen to be in the Washington, D.C. area, you can view the Smithsonian Community Reef until April 24, 2011 in the newly-built Sant Ocean Hall, Focus Gallery, Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.
There are also several Satellite Reefs that may be closer to where you live. The nearest one for me would be at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
You can find instructions on hyperbolic crochet and have a go at crocheting your own coral or learn how to start up a Satellite Reef in your community if you so desire. Just click on the Smithsonian.
If you are an educator and want to introduce your students to the coral reef, there is learning material provided on the Smithsonian as well. You can also visit the CROCHET CORAL REEF blog for more interesting information.
Coral reefs are known as the “rainforests of the sea.” They cover less than
one percent of Earth’s surface, but are home to one quarter of known marine
fish species. Scientists estimate that there are one to eight million
undiscovered species living in and around the reef.
Just like species in the rain forest, reef animals and plants contain medicinal
compounds, many of which are just being discovered. Several important
drugs have already been developed from chemicals found in coral reef
organisms. AZT, a treatment for people with HIV infections, is based on
chemicals extracted from a Caribbean reef sponge. Compounds from coral
reefs have also yielded treatments for cardiovascular diseases, ulcers,
leukemia, and skin cancer. In addition, coral's unique skeletal structure has
been used to make the most advanced forms of bone grafting materials.
More than half of all new cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms.
Coral reefs are in trouble around the globe. Already, 20% of the world’s
coral reefs have been lost and another 16% were severely damaged during
the 1998 El Niño event. Scientists predict that another 25% may be lost by
the year 2035 if human threats are not reduced.
I hope you found this information interesting. The Human Spirit never ceases to amaze me and I dare to imagine what we could accomplish if we were all of one mind - if even just for a moment!
Rock on, gals!
DISCLAIMER:
All the photos here are from the Smithsonian website. I was not actually there. I may go to Gainesville, FL, to see one of the Satellite Reefs.
18 comments:
What an interesting exhibit. I'm not that good at crocheting that I could do anything like that but it's quite fascinating
Those are pretty cool!
Sounds like a day-trip to Gainesville is in my near future! Those are some really cool works of art!!! Thanks for sharing :D
Liebe Doris
das ist ja unglaublich. Wunderschöne Riffs werden da gezeigt. Zuerst dachte ich, ich verstehe nicht ganz, aber das ist wirklich alles gehäkelt?! Wahnsinn!
Möchtest du, dass man in deinem Blog Englisch schreibt?
Danke, dass du dich bei mir als Leserin eingetragen hast. Und natürlich auch herzlichen Dank für deine lieben Kommentare. Es tut mir immer so Leid, wenn ich höre, dass ältere Leute keinen Hund mehr haben können. Aber ich verstehe natürlich auch die Sorgen die damit verbunden sind.
Herzliche Grüsse aus Zürich, colette
Wow what a colorful display of coral! Love it! Some part look very real!
Are you going to make it as well to make your own salt water tank?
Interesting information on the reefs Doris as well.
Thanks for sharing these facts and pictures.
Have a nice Sunday!
Wooooooow, what a lof of göttliche Meeresobjekte!!!!
Das war bestimmt ein toller Tag!!!!
Soooo viele schöne Sachen.
Lieben Dank für Deinen Kommentar,
Pfiffigste
Hi Doris, what amazing crochet! Quite a piece of art. Had a worldwind trip to Georgia, thought of you. Was surprised at how cold it was. Have a great day.
Beautiful..........Hugs Birgit
stunning !!!
Wahnsinn, das ist ja großartig. Auf die Idee muss man erst mal kommen. Phantastisch umgesetzt.
das hätte ich auch gern ´gesehen.
Liebe Grüße
Janine
Those are way cool - I thought they were the real deal at first.
Awesome...
sandie
omigosh, doris. you have just given me the best idea. i have several scarves I'm getting rid of and it occurs to me that perhaps I can form them into some sort of sculptural collage. A few actually lend themselves to the theme of this post. And, I wonder if crocheted fibers can be painted to good effect?? I guess I'm going to find out.
So great! So amazing! Thanks for sharing to us!
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for sharing this! I am absolutely going to go see it- this is an amazing project!
Liebe Doris
Welch eine Farbenpracht. Das ist doch wahre Häkelkunst. Danke für solch einen schönen Einblick.
Ich hatte Dir eine Mail geschrieben. Ist sie angekommen?
LG Sula
Wow, those are amazing!
Hi Doris,
I may just have to try my hand at some. It is certainly a very important concern these days.
Very cool stuff, Doris! I'd love to see it -- or better yet, make one myself~
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