The Clean Waves believes in the power of connection to nature and our communities. We believe it starts with simple regenerative actions that invest in the health and wellness of the individual, the community, and the environment. We’re experienced in hosting volunteer-based events that allow our community to contribute to environmentally regenerative actions, and this project expands our reach into the waters around Tamarindo. The goal is to facilitate the seeding of a healthy, thriving coral reef, that increases biodiversity in the area and presents educational opportunities for tourists and locals alike, connecting the community with the underwater world.
Coral ecosystem restoration provides the opportunity to effectively halt and reverse degradation, improve ecosystem services, and restore biodiversity. Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and biologically complex ecosystems in the world. This project aims to regenerate natural coral reefs, through the cultivation of corals with techniques that ensure genetic diversity. This is key to increasing the number of founding coral colonies of the ecosystem and the recovery of its structural complexity, which results in greater availability of habitat and food for a great diversity of marine species.
The project aims to start a coral lab, growing and monitoring corals to seed a new reef in large tanks. The corals will then be planted on metal structures in a nursery and cared for. Data on coral health, biodiversity and biogeochemical factors will be collected and monitored throughout the process. The coral are keystone species, and upon their return, the ecosystems will regenerate, increasing biodiversity of other species to the entire marine area.
Because of this project's proximity to Tamarindo, a major international tourism destination, it presents a unique opportunity to educate visitors through common tourism experiences like snorkeling and seeing local wildlife. People will be able to tour the coral lab and visit the nursery, raising awareness for the environmental degradation that has occurred through tourism and facilitating their participation in regenerative action and donations. Tourists and volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in the process both onshore and offshore, with knowledgeable guides.