La Casa del Coral & Coral Reef Monitoring Program

Introduction to the Metaproblem

Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean is home to one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the Central American region, yet its coral reefs are rapidly deteriorating due to rising ocean temperatures, sedimentation, plastic pollution, and unsustainable coastal development. Coral reefs are not only ecological treasures; they are vital buffers for coastal protection, fish nurseries, and engines of sustainable tourism. Despite this, communities often lack access to marine education, scientific tools, and structured opportunities to participate in conservation. The metaproblem is therefore twofold: accelerating reef degradation and a systemic absence of locally rooted, science-driven community engagement.

Core Problem in the Bioregion

In the bioregion of Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo, coral reefs face unprecedented stress. Mass bleaching events and warming waters threaten reef survival, while pollution and coastal pressures disrupt ecological balance. At the same time, local residents, especially youth and tourism workers, often receive little environmental training despite relying deeply on a healthy ocean for their cultural identity and livelihoods. Without inclusive, community-based monitoring and education, coral decline will continue unnoticed and unaddressed, placing the entire region’s ecological resilience and economic stability at risk.

Proposed Solution

Coral Conservation is expanding its mission through two interconnected initiatives:
La Casa del Coral, a community-based marine education center in Cocles, and a Coral Reef Monitoring Program launching next year to generate scientific data and empower local conservation.

1. Enhancement of La Casa del Coral

• Improve the educational space to serve as a vibrant learning hub for visitors of all ages.
• Upgrade the Virtual Reality coral reef experience with new immersive footage filmed on local reefs.
• Add bilingual educational materials, interactive games, and hands-on activities that teach reef ecology.
• Develop new workshops linking marine science with community lifestyles, tourism, and local identity.

2. Coral Reef Monitoring Program

• Join the regional monitoring effort with Adventure Scientists and UCR, covering 15 reef sites in the Caribbean, Coral Conservation will oversee five monitoring points in the Southern Caribbean.
• Train local volunteers and divers in monitoring protocols to democratize scientific participation.
• Acquire essential equipment (transects, slates, underwater cameras, measuring tools, and GPS).
• Integrate collected data into Casa del Coral exhibits and community presentations, turning science into accessible public knowledge.

3. Community & Institutional Engagement

• Strengthen partnerships with schools, local organizations, dive centers, and sustainable tourism operators.
• Host community talks, exhibitions, and school visits connecting reef health to cultural identity, livelihoods, and the future of the Caribbean coast.

4. Launch & Continuous Improvement

• Officially launch the expanded monitoring program and redesigned Casa del Coral experience.
• Use reef data to update educational content in real-time, ensuring an evolving, science-based experience for the community and visitors.

What Makes It Unique

Coral Conservation stands out for its community-rooted, science-based, and culturally connected model. Unlike traditional conservation projects, it combines:

• Local leadership and grassroots origins,
• Scientific data collection,
• Youth and community empowerment, and
• Experiential education through VR, workshops, and field participation.

By blending conservation science with interactive learning and local pride, the project becomes more than a marine initiative, it becomes a cultural movement that reconnects people with the ocean and strengthens long-term stewardship.

Why People Should Donate

Donating to Coral Conservation supports regeneration, justice, and peace in communities experiencing the frontlines of climate change.

Your contribution directly supports the revitalization of coral reefs and the empowerment of Caribbean communities. Donations help:

• Upgrade Casa del Coral’s educational experiences,
• Train local divers and youth as coral monitors,
• Purchase scientific monitoring equipment,
• Fund school programs, VR content, and marine workshops,
• Ensure long-term local leadership in reef conservation.

Without sustained support, coral decline will accelerate, risking biodiversity loss, economic vulnerabilities, and the disappearance of one of Costa Rica’s most iconic ecosystems. With your help, the region can instead become a global example of community-led marine regeneration.

Call to Action

Be part of restoring the heart of the Southern Caribbean.
Support coral reef conservation, empower local communities, and protect the ocean for future generations.

Donate today and help us bring science, education, and community together for a thriving Caribbean Sea.