Our children are the future, as the saying goes. With that in mind, CTC facilitated a fun and interactive coral restoration excursion in collaboration with Bali-based dive shop Joe’s Gone Diving. On November 3rd, 2021, nine brilliant junior divers from Green School received an introduction to coral biology and restoration taught by the members of the Coral Reef Restoration Task Force: Marthen Welly and Eureka Amadea of CTC and Pariama Hutasoit of Nusa Dua Reef Foundation.

The Green School students were given a comprehensive basic lesson in coral biology and coral restoration using the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS) method. The method was developed by Mars Incorporated, where sand-coated hexagonal steel structures called Reef Stars, attached with healthy coral fragments, were installed underwater. In the process of tying these fragments, swiftness becomes a very important factor. In a classroom practice using dead coral fragments, the students were divided into two competing groups and each managed to complete their Reef Stars under three minutes. Everyone’s a winner! On November 17th, the class was taken out on a half-day excursion to Sanur to implement what they had learned. These bubble makers, ranging from 11 to 14 years old, went out on a dive and successfully deployed two Reef Stars. At the end of the trip, a commitment to expand this achievement in the future was agreed upon. The children’s excitement and creativity inspire us. Through this early education, they got to learn, play and develop skills by direct contact with nature, all in a fun and safe environment.Learning through nature, especially early in children’s education, is crucial in helping to build awareness and develop appreciation

for the planet. In the end, it comes down to the steps we take now to get the Future Ocean Defenders to understand the importance of sustainability on Earth and start acting on it to leave a positive legacy: a better planet for them to live in.

Photos by Eureka Amadea/CTC