OUTBASK X CORAL GARDENER

OUTBASK X CORAL GARDENERS

Partnering for coral restoration and sustainable ocean conservation efforts.

What Do Coral Gardeners Do?

Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, are rich, biologically diverse ecosystems that support a quarter of all marine species. Unfortunately, they’re under severe threat from human activity and environmental changes, with an estimated half of the world’s reefs already lost.

At OUTBASK™, we proudly support the ongoing efforts of Coral Gardeners. A portion of the proceeds from every OUTBASK™ sale goes to help fund their transformative work. Since 2017, Coral Gardeners have made it their mission to restore and preserve coral reef ecosystems, ensuring that coral continues to thrive for future generations. They also focus on raising awareness and empowering local communities to join the coral gardening movement.

2023 Planting Milestones

In 2023, Coral Gardeners achieved a remarkable milestone, successfully planting 69,890 coral fragments—four times the amount they were able to plant the previous year. This rehabilitation technique of planting coral fragments is essential in restoring damaged reefs. To date, Coral Gardeners have planted over 100,000 corals, bringing them closer to their goal of planting one million corals by 2025.

The restoration process continues in ocean-based nurseries, with over 26,000 corals growing in their gardens. In 2023, they also observed a groundbreaking moment—egg production in their nursery-grown corals, marking a new phase of progress.

Since its inception, Coral Gardeners has restored over 11,930 m² across 11 different reef sites, and in 2023, they launched their first international project in Australia, expanding their impact and creating a new local community branch of Coral Gardeners to further their mission.

People & Community

Coral Gardeners has set an ambitious goal to reach and educate one billion people by 2025. So far, they’ve reached over 300 million people globally, sharing vital information and raising awareness about coral reef conservation. Their efforts include mentoring and supporting local communities and young people, encouraging them to become actively involved in the conservation project.

By recruiting ambassadors like Jason Momoa and hosting community events such as the annual Teahupo’o coral workshop before the World Surf League Tahiti Pro event, Coral Gardeners continues to expand their reach, bringing their important message to more people around the world. Through these initiatives, they’re building a global movement and empowering individuals to take part in preserving the future of our oceans.

Science & Innovation

Like OUTBASK™, Coral Gardeners has innovation at the heart of their mission. In 2023, their efforts took a significant leap forward with the introduction of AI-powered cameras, developed in-house by their CG Labs. These cutting-edge cameras allow them to track the biodiversity of reefs and the surrounding ocean in real time, providing invaluable insights into coral health and marine life.

In addition, Coral Gardeners have begun capturing 3D photogrammetry and audio of the reef systems, merging biology, ecology, and technology. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of these vibrant ecosystems, helping guide conservation efforts, monitor marine organisms' behavior, and assess the ecology and biodiversity of the reefs.

This high-value data is a game-changer for the global community—our community—who follow, contribute to, and celebrate the progress of Coral Gardeners’ work. It’s a visualisation of their mission and an invitation for those who wish to support their efforts to follow their journey via the live link: https://maps.coralgardeners.org.