Florida Keys Sea of Trees Brings the Gift of a Second Chance at Life

Tucked away in The Protect Center at MM82, you’ll find an enchanted forest of Christmas Trees on display for the holiday season, bringing the Christmas Spirit to Islamorada and the rest of the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys Sea of Trees is open every night until January 7th, from 6:00 PM – 9:00PM.

Over 100 uniquely themed trees are on display, many of which were sponsored and decorated by local businesses and organizations. Hunter Kinney, one of the event’s organizers says this is an event residents and visitors can look forward to for years to come.

“It’s hard to get in the holiday spirit sometimes and there’s not too many Christmas activities in the Keys. Christmas is one of my favorite Holidays, so it has been a blast blending together two things I love (Christmas and Marine Mammals).” Kinney goes on to say “I’m excited to see the event grow in the coming years as our flagship fundraiser for The Protect Center and a family activity we all look forward too each year.”

Admission to the Sea of Trees is $10 per person – 100% of which is donated to the development of a 56,000 gallon dolphin ICU habitat. Kinney shares that general admission combined with sponsorships for trees by local businesses will hopefully raise $50,000 over the season for the ICU project.

Nancy Cooper, President of DPMMR (the non-profit that operates The Protect Center) explains that the ICU is cornerstone to protecting marine mammals in the Keys region. “Currently when we rescue a stranded dolphin, our only option is to transport the animal over four hours away for rehabilitation, or worst-case scenario, if another facility cannot accept them for rehabilitation – humanely euthanize the animal.”

Cooper explains that they hope to get away from both of these options and alternatively be able to return to rehabilitating and releasing injured marine life without leaving their Keys home.

“DPMMR is the only organization in the Florida Keys authorized to respond to sick and injured cetaceans (whales & dolphins) in the Florida Keys, but we are not currently authorized to care for marine mammals long-term for rehabilitative care. We have the expertise to offer lifesaving care, but currently lack the facilities to do so.”

As of February of this year, DPMMR has held a lease on the old Latitudes 27 gift store, now known as The Protect Center. Cooper shared that leadership is working with the Village of Islamorada to complete the permitting process to use the property for marine mammal rehabilitation, and once permits are complete they will move forward with building out the ICU pool.

“We have already purchased the pool that will be installed on-site, and the Sea of Trees is helping us develop the robust filtration systems required to support a group of dolphins undergoing rehabilitation.”

That system, Cooper says, will cost over a quarter-million dollars once complete. Art Cooper, the Founder of DPMMR, has been responding to injured marine life in the Florida Keys for over 30 years and historically led the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo for many years. Art Cooper says he’s looking forward to getting back to helping Keys dolphins get a second chance at life.

“Our team is on-call 365 days of the year to respond to marine mammals. The way I see it, these critters are part of our Keys family, and they deserve the same protection and help we give birds, turtles, and other marine life. This ICU pool is going to have a great effect on our ability to truly rehabilitate and give dolphins a second chance at life in our own backyards.” Cooper goes on to add “but it takes a village.”

On the 22nd and 23rd, the final two “Santa’s Villages” of this year’s Sea of Trees will take place. Santa’s village offers kids the opportunity to meet with Santa, to craft a take home keepsake, and enjoy a cup of Hot Cocoa. The Sea of Trees is also the perfect place to snap a few holiday photos, enjoy a pre- or post- dinner glass of wine, or finish some of your holiday shopping, all while giving the gift of a second chance at life for our Florida Keys marine mammals.

The Florida Keys Sea of Trees is located at The Protect Center in Islamorada (82748 Overseas Highway, MM 82 Bayside). Visitors can find more information and even reserve passes to the event online at connecttoprotect.org/trees.

If you encounter a marine mammal in distress please call 1-888-404-FWCC or 1-888-404-3922.