The public is invited to a free lecture on coral reefs presented by Yvonne Sawall on Thursday [Feb 26], hosted by the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce [BEST] and Bermuda College.

A spokesperson said, “The community are invited to attend a free lecture on Thursday, February 26th, to learn more about coral reefs in this presentation, ‘Beating the Heat: Can we help corals survive a warmer ocean’. The lecture is a free presentation of Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce and Bermuda College and marks the first lecture in their Winter series for 2026.

“Coral reefs around the world are under growing pressure as oceans warm. During marine heat waves, corals can lose the microscopic algae that fuel their growth and vibrant colours, a process known as coral bleaching that can lead to widespread reef decline. In this lecture, you will also learn what we can do as individuals to help our coral reefs.

“Yvonne is a marine benthic ecologist with a focus on coral reefs. Combining physiology, ecology, and oceanography, she investigates how organisms and communities interact with their environment under current and future conditions.

“This work includes natural processes such as seasonal dynamics and the impacts of hurricanes on reefs, as well as human-caused stressors including pollution and rising ocean temperatures. Over the past several years, Yvonne has focused on the effects of ocean warming and has begun exploring novel interventions to mitigate heat-stress-related coral mortality.

Read more here: https://bernews.com/2026/02/eco-lunch-learn-coral-reefs-feb-26/