Meet Kristin Sherwood!

Kristin is joining CORAL at a pivotal time, and her expertise will help us scale our efforts and our impact in a big way. Read more about her below and see why our team is thrilled to bring her on board.

Q&A

Welcome to CORAL! Tell us a little about yourself. 

Thank you for the warm welcome! I am thrilled to be joining CORAL, and I’m really looking forward to digging in and learning the ropes. I began my career working with coral reefs in Belize, Hawai’i, and Palau, and this position with CORAL feels like it’s bringing me full circle. 

It’s a true joy to reconnect with the places, people, and issues that have shaped me both personally and professionally. I feel a deep connection to reefs and a strong sense of responsibility to contribute my energy and experience towards improving their health.

Saltwater runs through my veins, even after a decade of living in Colorado! I seize every opportunity to swim, snorkel, and dive. Last month, before starting at CORAL, I hiked the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal, where I reveled in the Atlantic’s giant waves and took every chance to dip my feet in the ocean. It was the perfect reset before joining this incredible team.

What inspired you to pursue a career in ocean conservation, particularly focusing on coral reefs?

I learned to scuba dive in a freezing-cold rock quarry in Virginia when I was sixteen. That experience could have put me off forever, but instead, it put me on a perpetual quest for better diving and more compelling underwater environments! My first open water dives were in a somewhat terrifying cave system in Florida (our planned trip to the Florida Keys was thwarted by Hurricane Andrew).  It’s kind of remarkable that I emerged both alive and still passionate about marine science.

I began my undergraduate biology degree in Virginia, initially thinking I could satisfy my underwater interests with streams and lakes. But after two years, the call of tropical waters and reefs proved irresistible. I transferred to the University of Hawai’i, where I lived and worked at the Hawai’i Institute for Marine Biology on Coconut Island (I ran the boat shuttle in exchange for housing!) From there, my journey took me deeper into the Pacific: the Central Visayas, Philippines, supporting a reef monitoring program, and later in Micronesia, contributing to the development of a network of Marine Protected Areas in Palau. Eventually, I enrolled in a Master’s program at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, and solidified my lifelong path in coral reefs, fisheries, and sustainability. 

As the new Strategic Impact Director, what are your big priorities?

I am really passionate about partnerships, and I know CORAL is too. The idea of NGOs collaborating with a diverse range of actors, from community organizations to fishing companies and universities to global multilateral organizations, resonates deeply with me. I firmly believe the impacts of conservation efforts are more durable when the full range of stakeholders are involved, particularly those with a long-term interest in the resources. I am excited to learn more about CORAL’s current collaborations and contribute to expanding these partnerships into new relationships that increase our reach and impact.

Tell us about where you live and how that helps fuel your passion for the ocean.

In 2022, my family and I moved from Colorado to Girona, Spain, seeking a new cultural experience and a closer connection to salt water. We’re fortunate to live just 30 minutes from the Mediterranean coast, and we go to the beach year-round. Even in winter, the mild weather and quiet coasts are great for paddleboarding and long walks on coastal trails. I also love the summers here, and spend a lot of time swimming and snorkeling. Although there are no coral reefs in the Mediterranean, spotting octopuses and the occasional cuttlefish underwater is always a thrill. 

Walking through the fish markets in Spain can make it seem like fish are prolific, but the truth is that the Mediterranean is an incredibly threatened ecosystem. Despite the apparent abundance, 93% of assessed fish stocks in the Mediterranean are threatened by overfishing. I love where I live, but it is a constant reminder that the unsustainable demand for seafood and largely ineffective fisheries management is the reality here and in so many places around the world. Living here has deepened my personal commitment to supporting sustainable fishing practices through conscious seafood choices as a consumer and also through my professional dedication to advancing improved coastal management globally.

Can you share a memorable moment from your career that highlights the importance of coral reef conservation?

Early in my career, I had the privilege of teaching at Palau Community College and working for the Palau Conservation Society. During our ecology unit, I took my biology class kayaking and snorkeling in Palau’s famous Rock Islands. While doing a headcount, I realized two students were missing. Panicked, I paddled back to find them sharing freshly harvested giant clam sashimi with lime across their kayaks.

Initially flabbergasted, I began lecturing the students about the species’ vulnerability and overharvesting issues. However, I quickly stopped, recognizing the island’s deep-rooted traditions and sustainable seafood practices. This experience, both terrifying and enlightening, taught me that conservation has to strike a delicate balance between honoring cultural identity and history while protecting critical species.

This incident in Palau’s stunning coral reefs highlighted for me the complex interplay between traditional practices and modern conservation efforts. It underscored the importance of understanding local contexts when developing sustainable approaches to resource management and environmental protection – a lesson I have carried with me ever since. 

From your perspective, how do healthy coral reefs contribute to the well-being of people and our planet? And why is it so important to invest in the future of reefs?

For the last decade, I worked on supporting sustainable fisheries globally, an experience that has honed my perspective on the critical importance of fisheries to food security and economic opportunities to people around the world. Coral reefs are a critical part of that equation – healthy reefs ensure sustainable fisheries, which are essential for both local communities and global food security.

Reef-associated fisheries contribute approximately $6.7 trillion annually to the global economy through various sectors, including fisheries and tourism. For many coastal communities, fishing is not just an economic activity but also a cornerstone of cultural identity, as illustrated by the Palau sashimi incident I shared earlier. 

But 75% of coral reef fisheries are currently being fished at unsustainable levels.

This overexploitation, combined with climate change, pollution, and coastal development, puts immense pressure on these delicate ecosystems. CORAL is investing in all of these issues in a way that is already shifting the needle in a positive direction, and I’m excited to be a part of the team.

Anything else?

One of my goals this year is to experiment with freediving. Last year, my family and I visited the Red Sea, where freediving is incredibly popular. It was awe-inspiring to watch divers with their long fins and sleek skinsuits descend into the depths in a single breath, observing the reefs in complete tranquility. The experience looked exhilarating,  liberating, and scary all at the same time, and I’m now keen to try it myself! 

Welcome Kristin!

The post Meet Kristin – CORAL’s New Strategic Impact Director appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Read more about the 2023 launch of this project here >

Restoring Ancient Fishponds to Protect Coral Reefs

Ka Honua Momona (KHM), in partnership with the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), is leading a multi-year effort to restore Ali‘i and Kaloko‘eli, two historic 30-acre fishponds along Molokai’s southern shore. 

For centuries, these fishponds served as nature’s refrigerator, providing a reliable food source during times when other resources were scarce or off-limits to protect their ability to reproduce. However, due to the mismanagement of surrounding upland areas, the fishponds became clogged with sediment—up to three or more feet of muck in some places—resulting in shallow, unproductive waters. 

Our partners are now working to restore the fishponds’ depth and productivity, aiming to create a sustainable food source for the community of Molokai. In addition to exploring ways to trap sediment before it reaches the coastal waters, they’re also finding creative solutions to repurpose the sediment itself, using it to help build a hula mound—a symbol of turning adversity into an opportunity to unite and strengthen the community.

In addition to sediment removal, local teams are strategically removing invasive species like mangroves and gorilla ogo, which disrupt the balance of the fishpond ecosystem and reduce the flow of incoming seawater, planting native vegetation along the shoreline to stabilize sediment and prevent further erosion, and monitoring fish populations and water quality to track improvements and connectivity to reef health.

By restoring these fishponds, the community is not only reviving a cultural tradition but also implementing nature-based solutions to protect coral reefs from sediment pollution.

A Community-Driven Approach to Conservation

This project is more than ecological restoration—it’s about building local capacity for long-term coral reef management. CORAL and KHM are establishing a community-based water quality monitoring program, training the community to collect and analyze data, ensuring conservation efforts align with natural reproductive cycles, and sharing outcomes and sustainable fishing practices with local fishers to support responsible harvesting.  

Already, the impact is visible. In just the first year, the project successfully:

• Restored one acre of fishpond, clearing 9,418 pounds of invasive algae
• Planted 430 native plants to stabilize shorelines
• Created 10 new jobs at KHM, supporting local livelihoods
• Logged 4,832 volunteer hours, engaging the community in hands-on conservation

And there’s more on the horizon for this impactful project.

A Deeper Dive into Monitoring Sedimentation

By working closely with our partners on fishpond rehabilitation, together, we’ve created a detailed plan to monitor how the environment responds and how successful the rehabilitation efforts are. 

On Molokai, our partners collect water samples from their fishponds twice a week to measure the amount of sediment in the water. This helps us set a baseline to understand the level of sediment stress in the area. It also gives us important information about the risks of sedimentation from the surrounding watersheds, especially during large storms. Since receiving training in July 2024, KHM has collected over 50 days of water samples, including data from two major storms.

We’ve noticed significant spikes in water turbidity—basically, how cloudy the water becomes—after big storms. To better understand and measure this threat, we’re using turbidity measurements paired with sediment traps to collect sediment that settles on the ocean floor. Turbidity measurements show how much sediment stays suspended in the water, which blocks sunlight from reaching corals. Without enough sunlight, corals struggle to produce the energy they need to survive. The sediment traps, on the other hand, tell us how much sediment is landing directly on the corals, forcing them to use valuable energy to expel the sediment. 

Both of these challenges can weaken coral health and reduce their ability to cope with other major stresses, like those caused by climate change.

In our first year working with KHM, we’ve learned a lot about how these stressors affect coastal waters and have established a baseline for current threat levels. With this baseline, we’ll be able to understand how rehabilitation efforts on land are working to reduce sediment runoff into the reefs.

Support from the Love Tito’s Initiative and NOAA

Community-led conservation efforts like this thrive with the support of individuals, foundations, and organizations that value local stewardship. This work is sponsored by NOAA and wouldn’t be possible without their financial assistance. Support for this project is generously funded with a federal award from the US Department of Commerce and authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act, NA23NOS4730179.

The Love Tito’s Initiative, Tito’s Handmade Vodka’s philanthropic program, has also provided funding to help scale up restoration work, ensuring Molokai’s residents have the tools and resources needed to protect their reefs for future generations.

A Model for Reef Conservation

By blending traditional Hawaiian knowledge with modern science, the work in Molokai is setting an example for reef conservation worldwide. The success of this initiative demonstrates that when local communities lead restoration efforts, ecosystems and people thrive together.

As climate change and environmental pressures continue to threaten coral reefs, Molokai’s approach offers a hopeful and replicable solution—one rooted in culture, collaboration, and a deep respect for the land and sea.

The post Protecting Molokai’s Coral Reefs with Community Restoration appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Andrea has dedicated her life to protecting the vibrant yet fragile ecosystems of coral reefs. Her early curiosities about the natural world evolved into a lifelong passion. Today, she leverages her extensive experience to lead global initiatives in coral conservation, blending innovative science, strategic partnerships, and outreach. Read more about Andrea below.

Q&A

What inspired you to pursue a career in marine science, particularly focusing on coral reefs?

From a young age, I was intrigued by the ocean. I grew up landlocked in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and was exposed to the natural environment, living in a rural mountainous area with nearby rivers. My father, a geologist, made sure I respected all living creatures and sparked my passion for the environment. 

When I turned 13, my family moved to New Jersey, a stark difference between the rainforest and the undeveloped country I grew up in, but I quickly adapted to a new life. It was in high school that I was able to make a strong connection with the ocean. I took all the science classes available, and marine biology was love at first sight. I volunteered at a local aquarium, worked in a pet shop, and decided to follow my dream of going to college. 

I studied marine science abroad at the University of Virgin Islands and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. It was here I discovered my love for coral reefs and knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life learning and protecting these fragile ecosystems. I was particularly drawn by the diversity of organisms, the colors, the intricate symbiotic relationships between the coral and zooxanthellae, and its dimensions seen from space. This led me to pursue a doctorate in Marine science with a specialty in coral reef ecology.

How long have you been with CORAL and what’s your role on the team?

I have been formally working with CORAL since 2021 but have been involved with CORAL as a volunteer and part of a CORAL Leadership network since 2010. 

In 2021, I joined CORAL to work as a Project and Outreach Manager in the Conservation Science Program to support the Allen Coral Atlas bleaching detection system by connecting collaborators across the globe to monitor coral bleaching events. Currently, my role is dedicated to advancing coral reef conservation through innovative project management, impactful outreach, and hands-on fieldwork. 

My work involves leading complex initiatives, and building strategic partnerships with regional and global networks to foster collaborations with NGOs, academic institutions, and government agencies. I develop and deliver online, in-person, and in-water training programs, lead coral reef health monitoring efforts in the Mesoamerican region, and ensure accurate data collection to drive evidence-based conservation strategies. With a focus on timely project delivery, effective communication, and financial stewardship, my role combines scientific expertise and organizational leadership to protect coral ecosystems in the face of climate change.

Talk a little bit about where you live and how that helps fuel your passion for the ocean.

I live in Buenavista a small Mayan town in the Bacalar Lagoon, known for its seven colors of blue green, and turquoise waters in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Although I miss living in Honduras dearly, I have found peace and tranquility living in the jungle. I live about an hour away from the ocean, which allows me to enjoy both of my favorite places. 

In my spare time, you will find me organizing spay and neuter clinics, recycling activities, sailing, and enjoying in-water activities in the lagoon. I also have a cool project and was able to co-create an eco houseboat on the lagoon, where I´m able to completely immerse myself in relaxing sounds and views of the lagoon.

Can you share a memorable moment from your fieldwork that highlighted the importance of coral reef conservation?

I love coral reefs and everything that involves their conservation. I have been monitoring reefs officially in the Mesoamerican Region since 2013. I was trained with the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) by Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRHP) and CORAL in Tela Bay, Honduras, a unique location that then became my site for the doctoral thesis. In the past 12 years, I have participated in almost all monitoring campaigns in the region and have been trained to further continue training surveyors. 

With this said, my most memorable moment is happening now! After all the great experience of being able to support the data collection that feeds into the Mesoamerican Report Cards, I will be able to have a higher reach into the whole Caribbean. I just recently became part of the Data Task Force of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), an operational network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a global partnership between Nations and organizations to protect coral reefs. I will be able to support the development of the “Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Caribbean: 1980-2024” GCRMN report. 

This is crucial for the region’s coral reefs, serving as one of the most impactful, evidence-based assessments of reef health, directly connecting regional conditions to global conservation strategies.

You’ve become quite the leader in coral bleaching. What are some takeaways from your bleaching research, fieldwork, and presentations?

Understanding monitoring efforts of global coral bleaching events has been at my forefront since the third and fourth global events. I have been able to connect with key groups globally, and we agree that we are at a tipping point! Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and reefs are burning up! It’s been tough to stay positive with such devastation happening in reefs. I find inspiration in working alongside such dedicated individuals and organizations and finding strength in building alliances.

We need to work endlessly to continue to link the citizens, science, and policy to cut carbon emissions. As the scientific community, we need to work together and collaborate with a greater purpose. In this process, one of my main goals was to summarize all the great efforts in this Coral Bleaching Toolkit and Comprehensive Guide which summarizes global tools, regional monitoring networks, and protocols. We must find ways to collect comparable data, integrate data sets, and translate results in a way that policymakers can understand to take action. We also collaborated with organizations, the private sector, and government agencies to reach for Coral Bleaching Awareness Month during November to support the message of protecting coral reefs.

I´ve also been a supporter of webinars of #ForCoral Webinar Series with ICRI and Reef Resilience Network (RRN) and trainings on coral bleaching methodologies that you can access on the CORALs webinar channel on YouTube.

Another key takeaway is that we are quickly running out of time and that now is the time for action. Half of the Atlantic reef-building corals are at elevated risk of extinction due to climate change and other threats, as found in this research that I collaborated with researchers of the Coral Specialist Group, International Union for Conservation for Nature.

From your perspective, how do healthy coral reefs contribute to the well-being of coastal communities?

There are many ways coral reefs benefit coastal communities such as food security (fishing), coastal protection, and cultural value. 

I´ve lived in various coastal communities in Hawai’i, Honduras, and Mexico, and something in common is their strong connection with fisheries as their main source of food. If we have a healthy coral reef community, we will have a diversity of corals that provide habitat to fish communities that can then support the primary food system of local communities. Some communities also depend on these fisheries (fish, crustaceans) not only for subsistence, but for their livelihoods, as the fish gets sold to other nearby towns, sold to tourists visiting the area, or traded for other resources. 

From my perspective, this is one of the most important contributions of coral reefs to coastal communities that I have been able to experience firsthand.

What are some of the direct and indirect ways that coral reef degradation can affect human health?

Following the last question, I´d say reduced food security for coastal communities. Many people who live in cities or far away from the ocean would argue that they do not have a direct benefit from coral reefs. I’d like to step back and talk about the direct and indirect ways that ocean degradation may affect human health. 

Oceans are the main ecosystem that regulates the climate of the earth. We are pumping way too much carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This is all absorbed by the ocean, and in this process, we are severely changing the capacity of heat and gas content in the ocean, and we are essentially changing its chemical composition. 

Marine heat waves also become more common, and we see impacts of coral bleaching that can degrade reefs and affect the balance between food chains and fish habitats. Ocean acidification is also a major impact, as we are affecting the capacity of crustaceans, fish, and reefs to grow calcium carbonate structures due to chemical changes. This directly impacts our food sources not only in coastal communities but globally. As we change the balance of the ocean, we may also be prone to changing climate patterns, stronger hurricanes, storms, rain patterns, winds, droughts, and altered currents. So no matter where we are, we are all influenced by these changes.

What are some of the most effective strategies for protecting and restoring coral reef health?

The most effective strategy for protecting coral reefs is to reduce local stressors and link evidence-based science to policy and governance at all levels. It is imperative to reduce local stressors such as the implementation of proper waste management (both solid and liquid waste), healthy and inclusive fisheries, and engaged communities and citizens. 

I could go on and on and mention diverse strategies at the local, regional, or global level, but focusing on local solutions is extremely important. By having clean water, we ensure reefs are not receiving excessive amounts of nutrients and pathogens. Lack of wastewater treatment may lead to algal and cyanobacteria overgrowth from increased nutrient levels that then smother and kill reefs. 

It´s also imperative that we link collaborative science, innovation, and monitoring alongside citizen engagement and education to policy and governance! Sounds like an easy fix, and many people and institutions have dedicated their lives to support this one way or another.

Anything else?

I make my eco-blocks! I am a recycling maniac. I recycle cans, paper, glass, electronics, tetrapak, and compost. Everything else that I am not able to recycle such as wrappers, plastics from food, or other items, I pack into an Eco-block! I have been doing this for 3 years, and I hope to build a chicken coup or something (need ideas!) with all my generated waste.

Support Andrea’s Work

Andrea’s journey, from the mountains of Honduras to the turquoise waters of Quintana Roo, exemplifies the transformative power of passion and collaboration in coral reef conservation. Her work highlights the urgency and potential of uniting science, community action, and policy to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems. 

By supporting CORAL, you help advance projects like Andrea’s that not only protect coral reefs but also bolster the well-being of the coastal communities that depend on them. Together, we can create a healthier ocean and a more sustainable future. Join us in making a lasting impact.

The post Meet Andrea – Marine Scientist and Conservationist appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Below are our favorite stories of 2024, showcasing the power of healthy coral reefs, collective action, and hope for our oceans. Let’s dive in!

2024 Highlights

Assessing Coral Reefs through Adaptation Science

Adapting to climate change is vital for coral reef survival, and this article delves into the cutting-edge science behind coral adaptation. Learn how researchers assess reef resilience, predict future changes, and develop strategies to help reefs thrive under challenging conditions. By connecting scientific innovation with conservation action, the article highlights how adaptation science is shaping the future of reef preservation.

Discover how science is influencing efforts to help coral reefs to adapt and thrive. Read more >

5 Surprising Ways Coral Reefs Are Connected to Our Daily Lives

Coral reefs aren’t just underwater marvels—they play a vital role in our everyday lives, often in ways we don’t realize. This article uncovers five unexpected connections between coral reefs and human activities, from protecting coastlines to supporting livelihoods and even contributing to medical breakthroughs. Each link highlights the critical importance of reefs to our planet’s health and our own well-being.

Discover how coral reefs shape our world. Read more >

Protecting Coral Reefs Through Community-Led Patrolling

Community-led patrolling is an effective approach to coral reef conservation. This article highlights the success of local communities taking charge of protecting their reefs by monitoring fishing activities, preventing illegal practices, and fostering a sense of stewardship. By working together, these communities are ensuring coral ecosystems are protected for future generations. The article emphasizes how supporting local groups can lead to stronger, more sustainable conservation efforts.

Learn how community-led initiatives are making a difference in coral reef protection. Read more >

The Importance of Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital to the health of coral reefs and marine ecosystems. This article dives into how MPAs provide a safe haven for marine life, strengthen biodiversity, and enhance reef resilience against threats like climate change. With real-world examples of MPAs in action, the article underscores why expanding and supporting these protected areas is crucial for our planet’s future.

Learn how MPAs make a difference and what you can do to support them. Read More >

Restoring Coral Reefs Through Clean Water and Sustainable Fisheries

Restoring coral reefs requires more than just addressing immediate threats—it involves long-term solutions that promote environmental health. This article explores how improving water quality and implementing sustainable fisheries practices can create a healthier habitat for coral reefs. Learn about the importance of clean, nutrient-balanced waters and the role of responsible fishing practices in maintaining reef ecosystems, offering practical steps for communities and stakeholders to ensure coral resilience.

Learn how clean water and sustainable fisheries are key to coral reef restoration. Read more >

Why Clean Water is Vital for the Future of Our Oceans

Clean water is the foundation of healthy marine ecosystems, coral reefs included. This article explores how water quality impacts coral reef resilience, from nutrient balance to pollution control. It highlights the urgent need for local and global action to reduce pollutants and ensure clean water flows into our oceans, restoring coral reefs and securing a healthy future for marine life.

Learn why clean water is essential for ocean health and how you can help protect it. Read more >

9 Game-Changing Impacts of Clean Water for Coral Reefs

Talk about low-hanging fruit. Proper wastewater treatment plays a crucial role in protecting coral reefs from harmful pollutants. This article highlights nine powerful ways improving wastewater systems can help coral reefs thrive, from reducing nutrient pollution to restoring water quality in critical reef habitats. By tackling the sources of excess nutrients and toxins, these solutions contribute to healthier ecosystems, supporting both marine life and local communities.

Discover how clean water is transforming coral reef conservation. Read more >

River to Reef – How All Waterways Impact Coral Ecosystems

Every drop of water eventually flows to the ocean, and what it carries has a direct impact on coral reefs. This article unpacks the critical connection between rivers, watersheds, and marine ecosystems, highlighting how upstream activities influence reef health. From reducing agricultural runoff to managing stormwater, the article provides actionable insights into protecting coral ecosystems from land-based threats.

Explore the intricate links between waterways and coral reefs. Read more >

The Community Resilience Fund in Action

The Community Resilience Fund is a powerful initiative that supports local communities in their efforts to protect coral reefs from the compounded threats of climate change and human activity. This article showcases how the fund is making an impact by funding projects that build long-term resilience, from sustainable fisheries to ecosystem restoration. 

Learn how the Community Resilience Fund is helping strengthen coastal communities in the face of climate change. Read more >

See Also: Reflections and Resilience – A Year After the Lahaina Wildfires >

Inside CORAL’s Action-Packed Staff Summit

What happens when the passionate team behind coral reef conservation comes together? This article takes you inside CORAL’s staff summit, a dynamic gathering filled with collaboration, strategy-building, and inspiration. From fieldwork updates to future plans, the summit highlights the power of teamwork in advancing coral reef protection. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how CORAL’s dedicated staff drives meaningful change for our oceans.

Get an insider’s view of this transformative event. Read more >

Introducing the Team Behind Hawai’i’s Reef Conservation

What happens when the passionate team behind coral reef conservation comes together? This article takes you inside CORAL’s staff summit, a dynamic gathering filled with collaboration, strategy-building, and inspiration. From fieldwork updates to future plans, the summit highlights the power of teamwork in advancing coral reef protection. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how CORAL’s dedicated staff drives meaningful change for our oceans.

Get an insider’s view of this transformative event. Read more >

Corals Decoded: Animals or Plants? Common Myths Debunked

Are corals animals, plants, or something in between? This article dives into the fascinating biology of corals, debunking common myths and revealing their true nature. From their symbiotic partnerships with algae to their vital role in marine ecosystems, you’ll gain a new appreciation for these remarkable organisms.

Discover the surprising truths about corals and their significance to ocean life. Read More >

Cheers to Healthier Reefs the New Year

As we turn the page on 2024, these stories remind us of the interconnectedness of our world. Coral reefs are not just beautiful ecosystems; they are vital to the health of our planet. By amplifying community voices, harnessing innovative technologies, and fostering global collaboration, the Coral Reef Alliance is paving the way for a brighter future.

Let’s carry forward the momentum of this year into the next, taking inspiration from these incredible achievements to continue championing coral reef conservation. Together, we can make a difference—one reef, one community, one story at a time.

The post 2024 Greatest Hits of the CORAL Blog appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

We’re beyond excited to dive into another year of protecting our ocean’s gems—and it’s all thanks to you! Every donation you make fuels our mission to keep coral reefs thriving and full of life. In 2025, we’re kicking things up a notch with a strategic focus to Assess, Protect, and Restore coral reefs—three powerful ways your contributions will make an impactful difference.

Here’s a sneak peek at how your support is driving real change and concrete outcomes next year!

Assess: Understanding and Accelerating Change

Here at CORAL, we’re committed to using data and research to inform the most effective conservation efforts. In 2025, as we assess coral health, water quality, and adaptation potential, your support will be instrumental in:

• Catalyzing Change: We’ve done the heavy lifting and learned a lot along the way, and our team is on track to replicate CORAL’s impact on a broader scale. In 2025, we’ll launch projects in new geographies, scaling our way to 2030, starting with a list of priority projects aimed at Clean Water for Reefs and Sustainable Fisheries.
• Strengthening Partnerships: A new robust partnership framework will guide partnerships and regional collaborations, ensuring all interventions are based on sound science and community needs.
• Driving Climate Adaptation Science: Your donations will support our ongoing research to estimate a reef’s adaptive capacity using freely available, remotely sensed data – a game changing tool for reef-dependent communities.

Give to CORAL >

Through these initiatives, our goal is to scale what we know works, providing communities and ecosystems with the knowledge, data, and tools to thrive.

Protect: Increasing Protections & Resilience of Communities

Protecting coral reefs and the communities who rely on them is critical to our mission. With your support, in 2025, we will continue to ensure effective protection of marine areas and build community leaders for long-term guardianship of coral reef ecosystems. With your donations, we will: 

• Rezone Protected Areas: Your donations this season will support development of a cutting-edge model to inform climate-resilient marine spatial planning in the Western Caribbean. Through this collaborative effort, we’ll drive protected area rezoning initiatives that prioritize climate adaptation. 
• Bolster Marine Protections: With your support, we will not only establish critical protected zones but also strengthen effectiveness with patrolling and enforcement of regulations. We work to ensure protections are upheld and reefs are shielded from harmful activities. 
• Enact Climate-Smart Policies: Your donations support our initiatives to encourage ‘climate-smart’ conservation policies and projects that consider genetic diversity within existing 30×30 commitments, thereby increasing long-term coral reef survival via adaptation. 
• Build Local Coalitions and Technical Assistance: We’re committed to strengthening local capacity in 2025 by providing funding and expertise to our network of regional partners. 

Donate to Protect Coral Reefs >

These efforts will protect vital coral habitats, demonstrating how practical, community-driven interventions can achieve lasting protection.

Restore: Rebuilding Resilient Coral Ecosystems

Restoring coral reefs is about more than just rebuilding ecosystems—it’s about ensuring healthy, adaptive reefs that support long-term ocean vitality. In 2025, CORAL is leading this charge with innovative research and sustainable management practices to tackle the biggest threats to reefs. Here’s what we’ll accomplish together:

• Ecosystem Restoration: In Hawai‘i, our team will ramp up essential projects and partnerships focused on watershed and fishpond restoration, expanding efforts to three new fishponds to restore and enhance the health of surrounding coral reefs.
• Clean Water Threat Reduction: We are working to secure $1.9 million to fund wastewater management solutions in five new communities, treating an additional 200 million gallons of wastewater each year(!!)—protecting coral reefs and the people who rely on them.
• Sustainable Fishing Threat Reduction: With your support, we will advocate for the Mesoamerican Reef to be designated a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA), which would provide this biodiverse region with increased protections against shipping impacts and pollution, helping shield fisheries, local communities, and vital reef habitats.

Fund our Restoration Work >

Guided by NOAA’s definition of coral reef restoration as the “process of assisting the recovery of coral reefs that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed,” our efforts focus on nurturing ecosystems back to health and resilience by reducing threats. Our projects are designed to create and expand protected areas, preserve fish populations, and support community-led, climate-smart conservation efforts, resulting in long-lasting stewardship of coral reef ecosystems.

Coral reefs need you NOW more than ever.

You can be a part of this transformative mission by donating today. Your unwavering support drives our work, and we invite you to be a vital force in protecting coral reefs in 2025 and beyond.

The post Turning the Tide for Coral Reefs in 2025 appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

Through scientific research, we work to understand how coral reefs can adapt in the face of climate change and translate our findings into data-driven solutions.

Why We Assess

Coral reefs support coastal communities, act as natural barriers against storm surges, and are critical to marine biodiversity. However, they are severely threatened by pollution, unsustainable fishing, and climate change, with predictions that almost all coral reefs could be lost by 2050 if current trends continue. 

CORAL recognizes that climate change is a profound challenge for reefs and that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be key to their survival. 

However, though climate change is a global problem, strategic local protection is still critical to maximizing the probability of coral reef survival and recovery. Through actionable science, we strive to understand how to make this possible and provide tools to enable climate-smart reef protection across the globe. 

Our Science

Over almost a decade of scientific research, CORAL and its partners have shown that protecting connected networks of genetically diverse reefs is critical to ensuring their survival and recovery. 

Genetic variation is the fuel of evolution. Organisms with genes that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, sending their unique genetic code on to the next generation. This process is known as natural selection. Over multiple generations of natural selection, species can evolve, displaying new traits and characteristics. And the more genetically diverse a population of organisms is, the more likely some of those individuals will be able to adapt to whatever circumstances arise. It’s this idea that is essential to coral reefs surviving the heat stress created by climate change. 

Through simulating coral reef survival under different climate scenarios, we’ve shown that genetically diverse coral reef networks are much more likely to survive warming waters than their less diverse counterparts. Our research has also found that genetic connections between coral reefs (e.g. via currents that carry coral larvae) are crucial to their prospects because genetic exchange, especially from reefs that are already adapted to high temperatures, can enhance the odds of resilience.

These findings present us with a few key implications for how we can help corals survive warming oceans. 

First, we must reduce carbon emissions and slow the rate of climate change to give corals a fighting chance. Second, we must protect a diversity of reefs that are themselves genetically diverse. Doing so increases the odds that heat-adapted individuals will be present and naturally selected. Third, we can’t just protect individual patches of reef; we must ensure that reefs are protected in connected networks to allow the exchange of genes. And finally, we must pay particular attention to the presence of hot reefs in these networks, which should allow heat-adapted larvae to spread to other reefs.

From Science to Action

Despite the importance of genetic variation in coral reef resilience, approaches to reef management often fail to account for evolutionary criteria. This is because assessing coral reef genetic diversity is costly and requires expertise that many practitioners do not have available. 

CORAL is working closely with partners to evaluate whether we can estimate coral reef genetic diversity and adaptive capacity from remotely sensed data. As we develop adequate proxies, we can then scale these up, creating a globally applicable tool, which we’re aiming to launch in 2025.

Making this information easily and freely accessible worldwide would catalyze its incorporation into coral reef management and marine spatial planning processes as part of countries’ 30×30 commitments. Our Global Conservation Science team’s goal is to influence and leverage partners, fieldwork, and technology to drive adaptation-focused conservation solutions that will rescue coral reefs from the effects of climate change.

Climate REEFS

In 2023, CORAL proudly expanded its conservation efforts into the Coral Triangle, a vital marine region spanning six countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. This biodiversity hotspot is home to 76% of the world’s coral species and supports the livelihoods of millions through fishing, tourism, and coastal protection services.

As part of the Climate REEFS initiative (Integrating Risks, Evolution, and socio-Economics for Fisheries Sustainability)—a multi-million dollar collaboration of partners in the USA, UK, Indonesia, and the Philippines—CORAL is working to develop techniques to identify adaptive reefs using remote sensing technologies. The ultimate goal of this effort is to develop a freely available, online tool that can identify genetically diverse reefs across the globe. In-country Climate REEFS partners hope to work with relevant government bodies in Indonesia and the Philippines to co-create revised provincial and national-level marine management plans that reflect our findings.

Identifying and Prioritizing Adaptive Capacity in Marine Conservation

CORAL also developed an international consortium of conservationists, ecologists, and computer scientists with a shared interest in evaluating whether we can measure coral reef diversity and adaptive capacity from space. Through examining relationships between measures of diversity (e.g. species diversity, genetic diversity, and others) and remotely sensed metrics at a series of pilot sites, this group strives to identify the best proxies for reef measures of adaptive potential—work that complements the research undertaken by Climate REEFS. 

Our members’ research encompasses a range of approaches and spans three oceans: the Pacific, including sites in the North (e.g., Hawai’i, Palau, and Republic of the Marshall Islands), South (e.g., Fiji), and Indo-west Pacific (e.g., Indonesia and the Philippines), the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean (Mozambique), and the Atlantic (e.g., Honduras and the Turks and Caicos Islands).

Influencing Reef Conservation Approaches Across the Globe

Through outreach and collaboration with partners, CORAL’s approach to reef conservation has been shared and recognized across the globe. 

Last year, for instance, CORAL contributed to the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Target 3 Partnership Meeting in Cambridge, which aimed to coordinate implementation efforts of the Post-2020 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and build technical capacity. The guidelines developed at this meeting and ones like it will inform conservation approaches for diverse ecosystems everywhere on Earth. 

CORAL has also recently been accredited by the UN Environment Programme, co-published seven high-impact scientific papers over the last seven years, and shared its findings at multiple high-profile conferences and events. 

Notably, in 2023, CORAL further expanded its reach by securing two CORAL Fellows, one of whom is supporting Pacific Coral Triangle countries, based in Honiara, and one of whom is supporting Southeast Asian countries in the Coral Triangle, based in Manado at the Regional Secretariat of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security. These locally-based consultants are contributing to a climate risk assessment for Coral Triangle reefs as well as a policy analysis that aims to inform fisheries management by reviewing gendered climate vulnerability and climate risks.

Looking Ahead

CORAL’s Assess efforts, which center around understanding how we can protect reefs to encourage effective climate change adaptation, are critical to the future health and resilience of coral reefs worldwide. 

By working to create readily available tools and resources that enable practitioners in under-resourced settings to incorporate genetic diversity into their coral reef conservation approaches, we’re working to improve the odds that coral reefs will survive and recover in a rapidly changing world. 

Our commitment to understanding how we can help corals adapt continues to yield meaningful results. Over the last few years, we’ve successfully co-authored multiple successfully funded research projects, expanded our work to the Coral Triangle (a hub of coral reef biodiversity), and continued to form and strengthen partnerships that help us magnify our international impact. CORAL is not only working to save coral reefs but also to foster a global community united by a common goal: to protect and restore one of our planet’s most valuable and life-giving ecosystems. Together, we can ensure coral reefs—and the communities that depend on them—continue to thrive for generations to come.

See Also: What is a Marine Protected Area?

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The ecological significance of the Cayman Crown goes beyond its coral health. Its distinctive bathymetry supports fish spawning aggregations (FSAs), a process crucial for maintaining healthy fish populations throughout the Gulf of Honduras. With its strategic location, Cayman Crown plays a pivotal role in connecting marine species across various life stages, ensuring the continuity and health of commercially significant fish stocks (Giró, 2019; Pérez Murcia, 2020). The high biomass of fish and other species supported by this reef is essential for the livelihoods of local communities, many of whom depend on these resources for their economic well-being.

The MAR Fish Pilot Project

With generous support from the MAR Fund, through the MAR Fish Project, CORAL and MAR Fund have partnered to formally understand and mitigate the impact of the closure of the  Cayman Crown Reef as a key Fish Spawning Aggregation site. By legally protecting this reef and the livelihoods that depend on it, we are working to safeguard its biodiversity and the crucial fish stocks it supports, reducing pressures on the ecosystem and fostering sustainable fishing practices in nearby communities.

This pilot project has been built upon CORAL’s ongoing efforts to support fishers and coastal communities throughout the Honduran Caribbean. Our team has accumulated a valuable socio-economic database across 33 fishing communities in the region, enabling us to develop tools that promote sustainable fisheries management and livelihood diversification strategies. These insights, combined with CORAL and MAR Fund’s establishment of a socioeconomic baseline for Honduran fishers at Cayman Crown, set a robust foundation for crafting sustainable solutions for both the reef and the communities that rely on it.

One of our biggest learnings during the implementation of the project was to know the willingness of fishing communities to learn and change. The communities are understanding the importance of developing projects to diversify their livelihoods that implement sustainable practices to conserve and recover marine ecosystems. They know that the sustainable use of natural resources is a legacy that transcends generations and shapes a future in which both people and the planet can thrive.

Partnering with Fishers for Sustainability and Economic Resilience

The Cayman Crown initiative is structured around strengthening local fishers by equipping them with the resources and knowledge needed to diversify their income sources beyond fishing. We recognize that effective conservation requires addressing the economic needs of local communities. To this end, our project prioritizes capacity strengthening and the development of alternative livelihoods that support both marine conservation and economic resilience.

Through these focused efforts, we have successfully strengthened fishers’ associations in two key Honduran communities, equipping them with leadership skills, fund management expertise, and sustainable tourism practices. This achievement has laid the foundation for a network of legally recognized fishers’ associations, now poised to drive forward livelihood diversification strategies. By enhancing their resilience, these communities are better prepared to move beyond fishing as their only source of income.

CORAL has worked hand-in-hand with local fishers to develop and launch three livelihood diversification projects, complete with technical, logistical, and financial backing. These projects are creating sustainable economic avenues that benefit both the reef ecosystem and local communities. As these initiatives take hold, fishers are transitioning to resilient economic models that promise to lessen their dependence on fishing, helping to safeguard marine biodiversity while supporting local prosperity.

With transparency and community connection at our core, we’ve documented each phase of our work, sharing stories, visuals, and infographics that capture the impact of these efforts on local livelihoods and conservation. Our multi-language communication strategy—offered in English, Spanish, and Garifuna—ensures that every community member, as well as global supporters, can appreciate the meaningful outcomes of these projects.

Together, through collaboration, capacity strengthening, and innovative livelihood strategies, we are working to ensure that Cayman Crown continues to thrive as a vital marine habitat—and a source of opportunity for generations to come.

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Guided by NOAA’s definition of coral reef restoration as the “process of assisting the recovery of coral reefs that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed,” our restore efforts focus on nurturing ecosystems back to health and resilience by reducing threats. This means our team works threats to coral ecosystems by improving water quality and promoting sustainable fishing practices, while also supporting community-led, climate-smart conservation efforts, resulting in long-lasting stewardship of coral reef ecosystems

Why We Restore

Coral reefs are critical to marine biodiversity, support coastal communities, and act as natural barriers against storm surges.

However, they are under severe threat from pollution, unsustainable fishing, and climate change, with predictions that almost all coral reefs could be lost by 2050 if current trends continue. CORAL recognizes that while climate change is a profound challenge, coral reefs can still adapt—if we reduce local pressures.

Through threat reduction in the form of clean water and sustainable fisheries initiatives, we are actively working to restore coral resilience, biodiversity, and community support for long-term reef health.

Clean Water for Reefs

Healthy coral reefs require clean water, but pollution from land-based sources, such as untreated or improperly treated wastewater and sediment runoff, often disrupts this balance.

Polluted water causes stress, disease, and degradation in marine ecosystems, making it harder for corals to survive. CORAL’s Clean Water for Reefs initiative tackles this issue head-on by working with local communities to assess water quality, advocate for laws supporting wastewater and watershed management, and operationalize pollution-control infrastructure.

Our efforts in clean water management include:

Implementing Wastewater Solutions

CORAL collaborates with community partners to build and manage wastewater treatment plants in critical areas, ensuring that sewage is kept out of the ocean. 

For example, in West End, Roatan, CORAL’s support of a local wastewater treatment plant has prevented 29 million gallons of sewage from reaching the reefs each year. In Coxen Hole, we’re advancing efforts to expand this capacity and expect to prevent an additional 49 million gallons of wastewater pollution by the end of 2025.

The restoration work happening here is essential for the recovery of our coasts and the survival of marine life. We are enhancing the reef’s ability to withstand climate-related stress. There has been a restoration of the reef because of our wastewater treatment facility as well as a restoration of hope for the community.

Susy Ochoa, Executive Director, Polo’s Water Association

Reducing Sediment Runoff

Sediment runoff from erosion and land development smothers coral reefs, blocking sunlight and hindering coral growth.

Through watershed restoration and fishpond rehabilitation projects, particularly in Hawai’i, we’re preventing large amounts of sediment from reaching reefs and preserving these essential marine habitats. In 2025, we’ll begin assessing how this work in Hawai’i can influence other areas in the Pacific Islands with the same threats.

Community and Legislative Advocacy

Hand-in-hand with our Protect work, CORAL is improving water quality by advocating for strong environmental policies and engaging local communities in stewardship. In Hawai’i, for instance, we introduced legislation to expedite cesspool conversion, a necessary step to reduce sewage pollution and protect both coral reefs and public health.

These initiatives are grounded in actionable science, allowing CORAL to measure progress and make evidence-based adjustments to our strategies. Over time, our Clean Water for Reefs efforts have led to measurable reductions in fecal bacteria levels in coastal waters, improvements in water quality, and decreased harmful macro algae that threaten coral habitats.

Sustainable Fisheries

Overfishing is another major threat to coral reefs, as it disrupts the delicate balance of reef ecosystems. CORAL’s sustainable fisheries programs work to restore fish populations and reef biodiversity by collaborating with local communities to establish protected areas and enforce sustainable fishing practices.

Protected Areas

With community partners, CORAL has established and improved the management of protected areas across marine ecosystems in the Western Caribbean, Fiji, the Coral Triangle (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines),  and Hawai’i. These protected areas serve as safe havens for fish populations, allowing them to grow and contribute to the overall health of the coral reefs.

See Also: What is a Marine Protected Area?

Supporting Local Fisheries

In partnership with coastal communities, CORAL’s fisheries projects aim to enhance fish biomass—by as much as 200% in some regions—thus benefiting both the reef and local livelihoods. Healthier reefs provide a more stable habitat for fish, allowing fishers to harvest higher-quality catches, which helps build a sustainable economy around responsible fishing.

Our most recent sustainable fisheries work includes two fishpond restoration projects on the island of Molokai, Hawai’i. These ancient Hawaiian fishponds, unique to the Pacific Islands, once supported local communities by maintaining abundant and sustainable fish populations.

CORAL has joined forces with community nonprofit Ka Honua Momona in Molokai to restore these ponds, which removes sediment buildup, controls invasive species, and promotes sustainable fishing practices. By reviving these traditional systems, we not only help protect the local reefs from harmful sediment but also honor and support local culture and livelihoods. This work enhances the resilience of reef ecosystems around Molokai and preserves a heritage practice that strengthens both community and ecological health.

Our sustainable fisheries work is essential to restoring balance in reef ecosystems, helping them recover from past pressures and adapt to changing conditions.

Looking Ahead – Building Resilience Together

CORAL’s Restore efforts—centered around threat reduction in the form of clean water and sustainable fisheries—are critical to the health and resilience of coral reefs worldwide. 

By addressing pollution and overfishing, we’re creating the conditions that allow coral reefs to adapt and survive in a rapidly changing world. Our commitment to science-based action, community engagement, and policy advocacy continues to yield meaningful results, with cleaner waters, healthier fish populations, and stronger reefs that support both biodiversity and coastal communities.

Through our partnerships with local stakeholders and our dedication to long-term conservation solutions, CORAL is not only working to save coral reefs but also to foster a global community united by a common goal: to protect and restore one of our planet’s most valuable and life-giving ecosystems.

Together, we can ensure that coral reefs—and the communities that depend on them—continue to thrive for generations to come.

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Our latest study, published in Marine Policy journal, focused on scuba diving in Roatan, Honduras. We looked at the number of divers that different sites can sustainably handle (known as carrying capacity) and how diver behavior affects the reefs. We paid special attention to certification levels and the use of lionfish spears, which are used to control invasive species. After monitoring 180 divers across several sites, we found big differences in how many divers each site could handle—some sites could support 13,000 more divers per year than others.

So, what does this mean for reef conservation?

Dr. Antonella Rivera, one of our researchers, explains: “This study shows how important it is to understand how many divers each reef can handle to avoid damaging it. Many factors affect this, including the skill level of divers and how they use spearfishing tools. To protect reefs, we need to regularly assess and adjust these numbers and use this information to guide our decisions.”

Key Findings

Carrying Capacity Varies by Site

The study highlighted substantial variation in the number of divers that different sites could sustainably support. This finding tells a story of the importance of site-specific management strategies to prevent overuse and degradation.

Diver Behavior Directly Impacts the Reef

Divers’ behaviors, especially those related to their certification levels, significantly affect the physical integrity of the reefs. Less experienced divers tend to cause more damage, often unintentionally, due to poor buoyancy control and lack of awareness.

Lionfish Spearfishing Needs Fine Tuning

While lionfish, an invasive species, pose a serious threat to Caribbean reefs, the study suggests that the method of spearfishing, if not properly managed, can inadvertently harm the coral reefs. This calls for a reassessment of current spearfishing practices and the implementation of more controlled and informed methods.

The Importance of Education and Management

The findings from Roatan indicate a clear need for educational programs, especially for newer divers. Workshops and courses focusing on the ecological impacts of diving can significantly mitigate damage to coral reefs. Educating divers about proper buoyancy control, the importance of not touching corals, and the careful use of equipment can lead to more sustainable diving practices.

Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of incorporating carrying capacity assessments into marine tourism management. The way CORAL incorporates this into our work is by ensuring Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) use these results and replicate these types of assessments to inform their local management strategies. By regularly monitoring and adjusting the number of divers allowed at specific sites, based on the health and resilience of the reefs, long-term sustainability can be achieved.

A Path Forward

The study conducted in Roatan offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between tourism and coral reef health. It’s also a clear example of CORAL’s strategies.

We focus on actionable science – deepening the collective understanding of the many aspects of coral reef conservation. By understanding the carrying capacities of different sites and the impacts of diver behavior, we can develop more effective management practices. Education and sustainable practices are key to preserving these vital ecosystems for future generations.

Roatan’s reefs, like many around the world, require our attention and care to thrive amidst growing tourism pressures. Through informed and adaptive management, we can ensure that the beauty and biodiversity of these underwater worlds remain intact.

The post A Call for Sustainable Practices in the Diving Community appeared first on Coral Reef Alliance.

The fires that tore through Lahaina not only ravaged homes and landscapes but also shattered the fabric of our community. For me, this event was more than a professional challenge—it was a deeply personal one. My family and I lost our home, and in the aftermath, we found ourselves displaced, moving multiple times and facing significant hurdles. Finding stable housing has been a continuous struggle, especially with the added challenge of having a beloved pet. Despite these hardships, we remain hopeful, buoyed by the collective strength and resilience of our community.

Hoʻomau ka ʻuhane o Maui—the spirit of Maui endures

In the year since the fires, our island has been on a journey of recovery—one that is as complex as it is hopeful. The fires left a deep scar on Maui, with over 1,399 homes destroyed and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. 

But despite these immense challenges, there has been progress. Iconic places like Banyan Tree Park and the Lahaina public library are back open to residents, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the recovery efforts. The beloved Banyan tree, which was heavily damaged, has shown remarkable signs of regrowth, a symbol of our resilience. However, it’s important to acknowledge that while these milestones are significant, much work remains to be done. Affordable housing is still a critical issue, and many in our community remain displaced, grappling with the ongoing emotional toll of the tragedy.

The Community Resilience Fund in Action

In response to the fires, CORAL launched the Community Resilience Fund to provide unrestricted support to local environmental organizations and initiatives. The aim was to empower those who know Maui best—our local leaders, community members, and grassroots organizations—to address the most urgent environmental needs during this time of crisis. Over the past year, this fund has supported a wide range of environmental recovery efforts.

One of the organizations supported by the fund is Treecovery, which has potted 3,500 trees in 14 grow hubs across Maui and is partnering with master carver Dale Zarella on a series of carvings called “Rising from the Ashes; Spirits of Lāhainā.” These creations, crafted from burned trees, symbolize the resilience and regeneration of our land.

Another organization supported by the fund is the Maui Bioremediation Group, a grassroots coalition formed to address the environmental damage caused by the fires in Maui. Their mission is to heal the burn scars on the island using bioremediation—natural mitigation methods involving native plants, fungi, and locally-made compost. Their work focuses on making the soil safer for future planting, improving water quality, and protecting the ocean from toxic runoff.

The outpouring of support from across the globe has been overwhelming, and I’m deeply moved by the generosity of those who have contributed.

Healing Our Island’s Ecosystems

When the wildfire swept through Lahaina last August, it left behind a trail of toxic ash, laced with contaminants like arsenic, lead, and copper. These pollutants now pose a serious threat to nearshore health, which are vital to both our community’s economic stability and our cultural identity. Our regional program director, Manuel Mejia, often reminds us of the Hawaiian proverb, “E ola ke kai, E ola kākou,” meaning “As the sea thrives, so do we.” This connection between our well-being and the health of our reefs is deeply rooted in our lives here.

In the immediate aftermath, barriers were installed around storm drains to filter out debris, but much of the ash still makes its way into the ocean. Local scientists and community members are working tirelessly to monitor the situation. Citizen scientists are using drones to film runoff, and researchers are collecting soil and water samples to understand the extent of the contamination. For example, Dr. Andrea Kealoha from the University of Hawaii has been deploying water sensors that capture data on everything from oxygen levels to water movement, providing a clearer picture of how our reefs are responding.

The full impact of the toxins on coral reefs will take time to fully understand. In the short term, fewer human stressors like tourism might offer some temporary relief, but the long-term effects remain uncertain. There’s also concern about potential toxins building up in fish, threatening food security for many who rely on the reef for their sustenance.

As we continue to navigate these challenges, we’re committed to protecting and restoring our precious marine ecosystems, ensuring that they can thrive once again.

Looking Forward

There’s still so much to be done, but the resilience and determination of the Maui community give me hope. Every day, I’m inspired by the people around me—the neighbors who’ve turned their homes into makeshift shelters, the volunteers who’ve shown up day after day, and the donors who’ve contributed to our recovery efforts. This past year has been the most challenging of my life, but it has also been a testament to the power of community.

To everyone who has supported us—whether through donations, volunteer work, or simply keeping us in your thoughts—mahalo. Your support means the world to us as we continue the long road to rebuilding and restoring our island home.

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