San Antonio Zoo Celebrates Grand Opening of Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab
New state-of-the-art conservation and education facility advances coral restoration, research, and public engagement
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 1, 2026 – On World Reef Awareness Day, San Antonio Zoo officially opened the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab, a new state-of-the-art conservation and education facility dedicated to coral restoration, research, and ocean conservation.
The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together zoo leadership, the Brewer family, San Antonio City Councilwomen Marina Alderete Gavito and Phyllis Viagran, donors, community supporters, conservation partners, and media to celebrate a major milestone in the zoo’s growing commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.
Made possible through a generous gift from the Brewer family in honor of the late R.P. Brewer III, the lab supports coral conservation efforts in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program. The facility focuses on cultivating corals for restoration efforts while providing guests with immersive educational experiences that connect them to one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.
The Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab is the first facility of its kind at San Antonio Zoo, featuring deep-water Texas and international coral species, interactive educational experiences, and hands-on programming designed to inspire future conservationists. More than an exhibit, the space serves as a working research and restoration lab where coral propagation and conservation efforts will directly support reef recovery initiatives.
“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.”
Although San Antonio is hundreds of miles from the coast, the new lab provides guests with a firsthand opportunity to experience and learn about coral reef ecosystems and the critical role they play in supporting life around the globe.
The lab honors the legacy of R.P. Brewer III, a beloved San Antonio College geology professor whose passion for science, education, and the natural world inspired generations of students. Funded by Robert and Amy Brewer and the Brewer family, the facility celebrates his lifelong commitment to learning, discovery, and conservation.
“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 the remarks, Tim Morrow, Robert and Amy Brewer were joined by 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, for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab.
Coral reefs support approximately 25 percent of all marine life, yet they continue to face unprecedented threats from climate change, pollution, disease, and habitat loss. Through research, restoration, and public education, the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab will help raise awareness about these challenges while contributing to tangible conservation solutions.
The opening of the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab marks a significant step forward in San Antonio Zoo’s conservation efforts, expanding its work to protect and restore some of the world’s most vulnerable marine ecosystems.