In the face of global calamity for coral reefs, an ecosystem-based approach to restoration work in Puerto Rico highlights the importance of connectivity, from corals & crabs to culture & biodiversity, building reefs as they build community.

As active reef restoration and intervention scales up around the world to face the deepening crisis around coral reef ecosystem loss, a silver lining glimmers amidst the crisis: while reefs face unprecedented population loss as corals succumb to large-scale bleaching events, stronger storms and disease, collective humanity has never known so much about how coral ecosystems thrive and how we might synergistically approach stewardship. The island of Puerto Rico provides a context in which to explore these opportunities to build not only coral ecosystem resilience but also community resilience as the island faces a persistent struggle to rebuild in the aftermath of severe hurricane damage, with an ailing economy that is subject to predatory franchises and for-profit foreign investment that doesn't have the best interest of local people in mind. Similar to the turf algae that monopolizes a degraded reef system after a bleaching event, Puerto Rico's local economy is often seized by wealthy individuals and corporations looking to develop hotel or hospitality concepts, or expand franchises that don't address local issues like food deserts, wealth distribution, public access to basic services and resources etc. From this interesting parallel of degraded community and coral reefs, we may build an experimental film that showcases the island's cultural and ecological diversity as a true source of wealth, paramount to the preservation of Puerto Rican identity and prosperity.

A call to action:
Puerto Ricans can and should engage with coral reef restoration as active stewards tending to their coastal gardens. Preserving coral reefs is a means to preserve the island’s identity.