Children’s museum to open photo exhibit displaying local reefs and restoration

ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum will unveil a new exhibit Saturday displaying surreal underwater photography of the island’s surrounding coral reefs and the scientists fighting to protect them.

“Reefs Reimagined” is an exhibit with photography captured by Dan Mele, a local conservation photographer and coral biologist at the University of the Virgin Islands whose work has been published in numerous books and films — including the Emmy-nominated film, “Hope for Corals in Crisis.”

Mele aims to bring attention to at-risk species and the tireless work conducted by local scientists to rehabilitate the island’s biodiversity and fortify it from future damage. His work showcased at the museum for the territory’s tots and tykes depicts the USVI’s Reef Recovery team, a coral restoration team. The group has the dual mission of restoring the reefs and boosting their diversity, as well as equipping the local community with the resources to weather a changing environment.