Looking at Earth from space, our planet’s rivers and streams resemble a vast network of veins, pulsing with life and water. These natural waterways, part of intricate systems called watersheds, weave through landscapes, connecting us in unseen ways to the ocean’s vast expanse. Whether it’s a closed watershed draining into a secluded lake or open… Continue Reading →
Can coral restoration save coral reefs? That’s a question we at CORAL have been asked time and time again. It’s a good question—but it’s also a complex one. The answer may not be what you think. The Risks with Growing and Planting Corals In many scientific communities, “coral restoration” refers to the act of growing… Continue Reading →
By Ben Charo, Global Conservation Science Program Coordinator Coral reefs face a difficult and uncertain future. According to a recent UN climate report, the Earth is currently on track to warm by 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, enough to wipe out 99% of reefs. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% in the… Continue Reading →
Like the birds and the bees, corals also need to reproduce and continue to build upon the colorful reefs that we know and love. But have you ever wondered how the coral animal reproduces? After all, it can’t move and it doesn’t have any reproductive organs. Let’s take a look at exactly how new coral… Continue Reading →
We are proud to support a dedicated team of local volunteers in Maui, Hawai’i, as they work to protect the valuable coral reefs in their community. By using “best management practices,” which are effective measures used to reduce marine pollution, we are able to minimize sediment pollution on coral reefs. Our volunteers grow and plant native… Continue Reading →
Land management plays an important role in Hawaiian culture, as well as the protection of nearby coral reefs. On the island of Maui, Noor, a local Restoration Biologist, and Poema, a Hawaiian Cultural and Plant Specialist, describe the significance of caring for the land in Hawai‘i. Traditionally in Hawaiian culture, each person has a kuleana… Continue Reading →
Over 20 tons of sediment has been captured in the mountains above Lahaina, the result of a collaborative restoration project led by the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL). West Maui is laden with historic sugarcane and pineapple plantations that are now out-of-use. During heavy rain events, the potentially contaminated soil from these degraded landscapes travels down… Continue Reading →
Last month, we were honored to be selected by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) as a recipient of the Coral Reef Conservation Fund grant, our second in as many years. The grant supports our restoration projects in West Maui, Hawai‘i where we’re planting native plants along stream banks and degraded agricultural lands to… Continue Reading →
Jen Vander Veur is fighting an uphill battle to save coral reefs on the slopes of West Maui’s mountains. Jen is CORAL’s Program Manager in Maui, and she’s leading the charge on restoring Maui’s once lush forest to stabilize the soil and protect coral reefs downstream from being smothered by sediment, reversing the effects of… Continue Reading →