Global Coralition and ArtX Restore 20,000 Mangroves in the Dominican Republic Through Art-Driven Climate Action
Cabarete, Dominican Republic – April 2025 — In 2024, Global Coralition and ArtX launched a powerful collaboration to restore the degraded mangrove ecosystems of the Cabarete Lagoon on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Fueled by a generous ¥3,000,000 JPY donation from ArtX, the project successfully planted 20,000 mangroves, significantly contributing to local climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and community empowerment.
Cabarete Lagoon is one of the most vital coastal ecosystems in the region, but like many wetlands globally, it faces mounting threats from pollution, land development, and climate change. The mangrove restoration project, carried out by Global Coralition’s local field team, applied a nature-based approach using Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) propagules planted in degraded areas to help stabilize the shoreline, restore habitat, and sequester carbon.
As of March 2025, the project boasts a 95% survival rate, thanks to careful planning, site selection, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
“We believe in using creativity as a force for environmental regeneration,” says Uynghiem Ngo, Founder of Global Coralition. “This collaboration with ArtX is a testament to the power of partnerships that combine art, science, and community to restore what matters most.”
Community-Driven Impact
The project also placed a strong emphasis on local involvement:
130 crew members from Virgin Voyages participated hands-on in mangrove planting during port stops in Puerto Plata, bridging tourism and conservation.
Over 150 local residents in Cabarete engaged in educational activities focused on coastal protection and fire prevention.
Local brigades were trained in forest fire response to help protect restored zones from recurring man-made fires.
Transparency and Innovation in Climate Action
To further amplify its climate impact, Global Coralition is developing CO2E, a digital platform that tracks nature-based carbon removal projects like mangrove planting and biochar application. Using blockchain and geolocation, the app will ensure transparency, real-time data, and accountability while creating local jobs in restoration and carbon monitoring.
A Global Vision: Coral Restoration in Japan
The partnership with ArtX extends beyond the Caribbean. In Okinawa, Japan, Global Coralition is cultivating Green Plate Coral (Pavona decussata) through the Sea Seed Project—an initiative that focuses on building coral reefs capable of surviving extreme ocean conditions. Known for its exceptional adaptability, this species is helping lay the foundation for future-proof marine ecosystems.
About Global Coralition
Global Coralition is an international initiative that merges art, science, and grassroots engagement to regenerate marine ecosystems. With active projects across the Dominican Republic and global partnerships, the organization focuses on coral restoration, mangrove reforestation, ocean literacy, and climate resilience.
About ArtX
ArtX supports visionary art and artists working to create meaningful environmental impact. Through partnerships like this, ArtX is helping to redefine the role of creativity in solving some of the world’s most urgent ecological challenges.
For more information, visit www.globalcoralition.org
Contact: uynghiem@globalcoralition.org | +1 (809) 453-4685