Breeding baby corals so we can all breathe free

July 26, 2025Leave a comment

This almost 400-year-old plantation site on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is home to a laboratory designed to cultivate coral and return it to the sea, an effort to help restore our Caribbean coral reefs.

The sign on the dirt road read “Estate Little Princess Established 1738”. The 25-acre plot which lies just west of Christiansted on the St. Croix coast was once a sugar plantation. You can still see the tall sugar mill—one of about 100 that dot the island—a testament to the liquid treasure of the rum industry, wealth made on the backs of the almost 29,000 African slaves that were transported to what are today the U.S. Virgin Islands during the Danish Colonial Period.

The beauty of the place is overwhelming with its flashy green flora and scarlet Flamboyant trees. Not that the most important residents would notice. The tiny corals that reside in special protected tanks lie placidly, waiting for their chance to be released into the sea.

“You see this?” Our guide, Semoya Phillips of the Virgin Islands Coral Innovation Hub, pointed at a large chunk of coral partway up the side of the property’s sugar mill. “It was gouged out of the reef because building material was needed. The people believed it was a renewable resource.”

And while coral does grow back, the process is painstakingly slow. That’s why the Nature Conservancy helps fund the lab facility. Here’s how they explain it on their website: “The Nature Conservancy and partners are advancing coral science to help reefs recover at a meaningful scale. Using our land-based and underwater nurseries, we are innovating ways to breed significantly more corals, with greater survival rates, for reef restoration. Novel techniques allow us to dramatically increase coral growth and preserve coral genetic diversity for improved reef resilience. Healthy new corals are then used to bring dying reefs back to life and restore the benefits they provide for our ocean, communities and economies.”

***Semoya Phillips, who works at the Virgin Islands Coral Innovation Hub, points out coral that was used as building material for a sugar mill*** ***that was constructed hundreds of years ago.***

Some of you may be thinking, “Gosh! Why should I care about coral reefs?”

Here’s the thing. Do you like to breathe? Note that our oceans produce 50% of the oxygen in our atmosphere. And coral reefs do their part because they house algae called zooxanthellae that convert carbon dioxide and water into energy through photosynthesis and—bada bing bada boom—release oxygen into the atmosphere.

And there’s more! When those big bad hurricanes come roaring ashore, it’s coral reefs that slow the water down, lessening the damage from storm surge. Twenty-five percent of the world’s fish grow up in the protective nooks and crannies of coral reefs before venturing out to sea—think Finding Nemo—with over 4,000 species dependent on coral reefs at some point in their fishy lives. So, with about 500 million people dependent on fish for food, the decimation of coral reefs could cause worldwide starvation. And let’s not forget the benefits of ecotourism. In the interest of full transparency, I’m a scuba diver and can think of nothing more delightful than floating above a shimmering reef watching jewel-colored fishes dancing in the sunlight.

So, yes, we need to do all we can to save our reefs, which are dying off at unprecedented rates due to warming seas cause by climate change. The rising temperatures force the corals to expell the algea that give them their beautiful colors, bleaching that often leads to the death of the colony. Pollution, over fishing, and costal development, among other things, are also destoying the reefs.

Currently, researchers like Phillips are cloning corals they retrieve from the sea giving them space and time to grow and then transplanting them back into the ocean. It’s a time consuming and arduous task, one that often results in the little creatures dying off again. And still, they try.

***Don’t these coral babies look like cookies? The little ones will hopefully someday be returned to the sea in an effort to restore our coral reefs.***

“I know, like parents, we’re not supposed to pick favorites,” Phillips said with a smile. “But …” She nodded at a tank that held a different type of coral babies. “These are not clones.”

The tiny corals in question were bred from sperm and eggs that are released once a year by the millions, a synchronized dance which often occurs in conjunction with a full moon. They are then gently gathered up by divers and moved to the lab tanks for fertilization.

“They provide diversification,” Phillips explained.

And that’s important, because diversity will help the corals be more resilient and better able to stave off disease. There’s also hope that corals might be developed that can thrive in the warming waters of our world’s oceans.

The effort to regrow coral can be disheartening. At one St. Croix underwater site where researchers spent three years establishing a coral nursery, 67% of the babies were wiped out in a matter of weeks, which prompted me to ask, what’s the point?

“Coral’s have been around for a very long time. Bleaching is recent,” Phillips said. “But people worldwide are studying this modern problem looking for solutions.” She gazed again at the coral babies in a glimmering tank and smiled. A scientist with hope.

Here’s hoping we find a lot more like her.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

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Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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A walk and a song: For your health

July 19, 20254 Comments

***Spinal fusion surgery affected my singing voice, but I’m walking to make it better.***

I like to sing. Always have. But I haven’t done much of it lately.

Here’s why. About a year ago, I underwent cervical spine fusion. A surgeon implanted two titanium clips in my spine through the front of my neck. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? My metal bits look sort of like those clasps you’d use to hold a bunch of papers together, or in my case to make sure that chips bag stays tightly sealed.

As I love a good story, I remember prior to the surgery I said to the doc, “Could you give me a scar that looks like I was in a biker-girl barfight?”

He squinted, then shook his head. “No!”

So, today, geez, I have nothing cool to show for the operation. In case you’re wondering, my wonky spine is the result of 60 years of sports. Remember when they told us sports were good for us? They lied! And if I could figure out exactly who “they” were I might hunt them down. But I digress.

Despite the pleasing effects on my spine—no more bone-crushing pain that wipes the colors from my world—I was left with an impaired singing voice. And while I have always been an Alto II who rarely hit what most would call modest high notes, my voice is even lower now.

Recently, I decided to rectify the situation, so I signed up for voice lessons. Though I was rather startled when my teacher launched me into singing gospel tunes, Richie is helping me get my voice back.

During a break in my singing, Richie said, “Do you run or walk?”

“I walk,” I said.

“You should sing when you’re walking.”

I smiled. “I already do that.”

Here’s where I’ll admit that every morning I walk a rolling route on my little Caribbean Island of St. Croix, where I get to look at green hills, blue skies, and marshmallow-colored clouds. And the turnaround spot is picture prefect: a sprawling field carved into a hillside of tropical forest where, if I’m very lucky, horses and deer might be found placidly grazing together while a white cattle egret flutters around them. So, long before Richie suggested I sing while walking—an effort to improve my breathing—I was already serenading anyone within earshot.

I’ve since learned that singing is good for us. Apparently the smart folks who know such things say it can reduce stress, strengthen our immune systems, and, as Richie pointed out, improve our lung function. And here’s something really cool. Music in general—either singing, playing, or listening to it—affects us the same way chocolate and sex do. Our brains produce endorphins, chemicals that give us feelings of euphoria and well-being. Imagine that!

So, I will continue my morning stroll, singing whenever I feel the urge, even though I might periodically verge on channeling Barry White.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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The mysterious Virgin Islands

July 12, 20254 Comments

***Here’s a look at my backyard on St. Croix in the USVI. Yep, as you can see, I’m a spoiled brat.***

I live part time in a place that most people don’t seem to understand. Take Netflix for example, which denied me the opportunity to watch a new TV series by saying, “This title is currently unavailable for viewing in your country.”

Or Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport where the nice people behind the domestic flight counter shake their heads and say, “You have to get into the international flights line.”

Or my gas company in Arizona that refused to let me pay my bill online. “We cannot accept payment from your current location.”

USVI should not be that difficult to explain. It means the United States Virgin Islands. It’s just like living in Pennsylvania, or Colorado, or Montana, just without the flamboyant sea view.

And now I will put on my history teacher cap and explain. The U.S. Virgin Islands include 50 minor islands and cays, as well as St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, where I get to sit on my patio and stare at the ever-changing colors of the Caribbean Sea whenever I want. Doesn’t that sound nice? These islands were purchased from Denmark—one of seven nations to hold sway here—in 1917 for a cool $25 million dollars in gold. That was the year the U.S. entered World War I and the thinking was it would be detrimental if the Germans got a foothold in the Caribbean, especially in the Virgin Island’s where there are several natural deep-water ports, the perfect place to park some of their warships so they could wreak havoc near American shores. In 1927 the islands were deemed an unincorporated territory and their inhabitants were granted U.S. citizenship.

If like the aforementioned entities you’re still skeptical, note that we even have ZIP codes, which are pretty much nonexistent outside of the U.S. Now, it’s true that Virgin Islanders do not get to vote in presidential elections, but we do have one non-voting representative in Congress. We are just like Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the other U.S. Territories. When I set foot on my little island, I am on United States soil.

Here’s the thing. The U.S. Virgin Islands are magnificently beautiful with their tropical climate and the mesmerizing Caribbean Sea that surrounds them. And they have fascinating history. Way back in 1493, a landing party of two dozen men was sent ashore by Christopher Columbus who was on his second voyage to the New World. They were met by a group natives who were surely astonded by the 17 ships they found in the waters off their shores. When the sailors captured women and children to be slaves, the natives fired arrows at them. One native was decapitated by Columbus’ men. It is the first documented instance of resistance by American indigenous peoples against European colonists. St. Croix alone boasts two forts built almost 300 years ago: Fort Chistiansvaern and Fort Fredrik, constructed to protect the island from other nations and the marauding pirates who periodically showed up waving the skull and cross bones. How cool is that? And let’s not forget young Alexander Hamilton who hip-hopped his way around St. Croix, before skipping over to the mainland to do his Founding Father thing.

But I digress.

I’m not sure what else I can say to convince the naysayers that the lovely island I call home is part of the United States. Maybe you can pass the word.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Amazon

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

An author’s dilemma: So many social media sites, so little time

July 5, 20256 Comments

Authors understand that they need to be on social media if they want to sell books. At least, I hope they do. In fact, anyone with a merchandise to sell needs to be regularly taping away, telling consumers why their product is a must have.

In case you’re skeptical, note that, according to DataReportal, there are currently 5.31 billion social media users around the world, people who log onto almost seven different social media platforms each month, where they spend over 18 hours weekly visiting various sites.

Despite what youngsters tell you—Kids apparently prefer platforms that cater exclusively to them and don’t like scrolling through postings by old folks.— Facebook is still king in the social media world with over three billion users visiting monthly. I mention this because love it or hate it authors should have a presence on the site.

But where should authors go from there? Depending on who you ask, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are where they should be. But here’s the thing, when you throw in the effort required to run a website, write regular blogs, participate in podcasts, appear at speaking engagements and book events, as well as posting on myriad social media sites, authors can get overwhelmed. (And I didn’t even mention that they should also find time to write.)

The solution? Think carefully about where you’d like to spread the word about your books. Note which social media sites appeal to you. For example, I struggled with Instagram. The picture/video-dominant platform often confounded me. When TikTok somehow took over my Instagram account and I was unable to retrieve it, I just let it go. Similarly, I’m not a fan of X, still I do share my weekly blogs there.

If you’re looking for a time-saver, I recommend checking the pages where you share your work. Consider that Facebook has dozens of sites for authors, many with thousands of followers. But here’s the problem. There is often virtually no interaction on some of these sites. You can post your blog or ad, and pretty much never get a single like. I have spent time on these sites, but finally, in an effort to streamline, I let them go.

Authors must determine which sites they’re comfortable with, then put their best work into those platforms and build a clientele. If you don’t see results from one site, try another until you’re making progress. Just don’t spread yourself too thin. The hope is that authors will eventually settle in and learn to enjoy the social-media marketing aspect of their job.