How Restoring Marine Ecosystems Uplifts Island Communities

Global Coralition’s restoration work in the Dominican Republic is proving that rebuilding marine ecosystems not only restores biodiversity, but also strengthens coastal communities, supports local economies, and inspires environmental stewardship.

Island communities depend on the ocean for nourishment, livelihoods, cultural identity, and protection. When marine ecosystems degrade, these communities become the first to feel the impact—through shoreline erosion, weakened fisheries, loss of tourism income, and heightened vulnerability to storms.

At Global Coralition, we believe that restoring the ocean means restoring the future of island communities. Through hands-on restoration, community engagement, education, and the integration of art in nature, our work in the north coast of the Dominican Republic demonstrates how ecological regeneration uplifts both people and place.

Restoring Ecosystems, Strengthening Resilience

Along the coastlines of Sosúa and Cabarete, our operational hub EcoSoluciones RD leads restoration efforts focused on mangroves, native plants, and coral reefs—the three pillars that protect Caribbean communities.

Mangroves as Natural Defenses

Mangroves stabilize coastlines, reduce erosion, buffer communities during storms, and provide essential habitat for juvenile fish.
Through community and corporate planting events, we have restored thousands of mangroves in the Cabarete and Goleta Lagoon, engaging students, volunteers, and organizations including Virgin Voyages, TIX.DO, and local schools.

Each mangrove planted is a safeguard for nearby neighborhoods and a step toward long-term resilience.

Coral Reefs as Community Shields

Healthy reefs protect shorelines from wave energy and sustain local fisheries and tourism. Using microfragmentation, our team—led by coral technician Melfin Martínez—propagates coral fragments and installs them on underwater restoration domes.

Around our signature sculpture Atabey, 18 domes currently host approximately 1,300 coral fragments, forming a growing underwater habitat that attracts fish, supports reef regeneration, and elevates sustainable tourism in Sosúa Bay.

Education That Transforms Awareness into Action

Community empowerment is at the heart of our mission. Through programs with schools such as Isla Academy, 3 Mariposas Montessori, and ESD, we connect young people to their ecosystems through field visits, ecological talks, trivia activities, snorkeling sessions, lab demonstrations, and artistic experiences.

We also carried out a multi-month series of community workshops with the Centro de Innovación Atabey, reaching more than 250 participants across Puerto Plata and Montecristi. These workshops deepened public understanding of mangrove conservation, blue carbon, and coastal protection—arming communities with knowledge to advocate for their natural environment.

Education sparks stewardship, and stewardship drives lasting protection.

Corporate and Community Partnerships that Uplift Local Economies

Restoration becomes more powerful when communities and businesses participate together.

Companies such as TIX.DO, Virgin Voyages, and L’Agence have engaged in mangrove planting, coral restoration, team-building activities, and direct ecosystem support.

• TIX.DO adopted 1,000 mangroves and 100 corals, actively participating in their planting and installation.

• Virgin Voyages volunteers planted 160 mangroves, reinforcing their ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship.

• A long-standing partner of L’Agence chose to share part of their rental income with community projects, demonstrating how restoration inspires broader social generosity.

These partnerships create circular benefit: ecosystems recover, communities strengthen, and sustainable tourism becomes a shared responsibility.

Art as a Bridge Between People and the Ocean

Our sculptures, especially Atabey, serve as powerful cultural symbols that reconnect communities to their ecological heritage.
Atabey is not only an underwater artwork—it is a living restoration site, an educational platform, and a source of local pride.

By merging art + science + community, we transform conservation into an emotional and participatory experience that uplifts identity, belonging, and stewardship.

A Regenerated Ocean Means a Stronger Community

When ecosystems thrive, so do the people who depend on them. Our ridge-to-reef approach reinforces this idea: restoring coral reefs protects shorelines; restoring mangroves stabilizes coastlines and fisheries; educating youth builds future leadership; and engaging local partners strengthens social and economic resilience.

The impact is holistic and long-lasting.

At Global Coralition, our work shows that ecological restoration is also community restoration. Every coral fragment, every mangrove seedling, every workshop, and every partner contributes to a shared vision of prosperity and protection for island communities.

We restore ecosystems.
We empower people.
And together, we build a future where both can thrive.