SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Zoo marked World Reef Awareness Day with the grand opening of the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to coral restoration, scientific research and ocean conservation education.
Zoo leaders, members of the Brewer family, city officials, conservation partners, donors and community supporters gathered June 1 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new facility, which expands the zoo’s growing conservation efforts beyond land-based wildlife and into the protection of marine ecosystems.
The Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab was made possible through a generous gift from the Brewer family in honor of the late R.P. Brewer III, a longtime San Antonio College geology professor known for his passion for science, education and the natural world.
The facility will support coral conservation efforts through partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program. The lab focuses on cultivating corals for restoration projects while creating educational opportunities for visitors to learn about the importance of coral reef ecosystems.
“This is not just another exhibit; this is a working research and restoration lab,” said Tim Morrow, President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems on the planet. Through the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab, we are cultivating corals right here in San Antonio and helping restore reefs for future generations.”
The Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab is the first facility of its kind at San Antonio Zoo. It features deep-water coral species from Texas and around the world, interactive educational displays and hands-on programming designed to inspire future generations of conservationists.
Unlike traditional exhibits, the facility serves as an active research and restoration center where coral propagation efforts will directly contribute to reef recovery projects.
Although San Antonio is located hundreds of miles from the nearest coastline, zoo officials say the lab provides residents with a unique opportunity to experience coral reef ecosystems firsthand and understand their importance to life around the globe.
The facility honors the legacy of R.P. Brewer III, whose dedication to education and scientific discovery left a lasting impact on generations of students.
“We hope this lab sparks the same joy and wonder in every visitor that my father found in a lifetime of education and discovery,” said Robert Brewer, son of R.P. Brewer III. “We wanted to provide San Antonio families a firsthand experience of the ‘rainforest of the seas’ and help educate our community about how critically endangered coral reefs are across the globe.”
Following remarks from zoo leadership and the Brewer family, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with Morrow, Robert and Amy Brewer, San Antonio City Councilwomen Marina Alderete Gavito and Phyllis Viagran, as well as San Antonio Zoo’s 2026 King of the Jungle Christopher Arce and Queen of the Jungle Diane Eckerle.
Coral reefs are among the most important ecosystems on Earth, supporting approximately 25 percent of all marine life. However, they face growing threats from climate change, pollution, disease and habitat loss.
Through scientific research, coral cultivation and public education, the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab aims to increase awareness of these challenges while contributing to real-world conservation solutions.
Zoo officials say the opening represents a major step forward in San Antonio Zoo’s conservation mission and demonstrates how communities far from the ocean can still play an important role in protecting some of the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems.