Enhancing Curaçao's reefs through community action

Building the knowledge, skills, and network needed to enhance  Curaçao's coral reefs.

Who we are

REACT – Reef Enhancement and Community Training – is a nonprofit organization based in Curaçao that combines reef enhancement, education, and community engagement. 

We train local youth and volunteers in reef restoration and enhancement techniques, helping build the people power needed to support conservation efforts across the island. Through internships, workshops, and hands-on field activities, we create opportunities for people to become actively involved in protecting and improving Curaçao's marine ecosystems.

Our reef enhancement approach focuses on practical interventions that improve reef health and create the conditions needed for coral recovery. By removing algae and coral predators, restoring natural grazing pressure, and improving reef conditions, we help create sites where corals can survive and thrive, supporting both natural recovery and ongoing restoration efforts.Collaboration is central to our approach.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, we work closely with local NGOs, dive shops, researchers, and community groups to strengthen existing restoration efforts and build the local capacity needed for long-term reef enhancement in Curaçao.

What we do

Education

We train local youth in diving and reef restoration, creating hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence, foster environmental stewardship, and open pathways into marine conservation.

Capacity building

Many organizations in Curaçao have the knowledge and techniques needed for reef restoration but lack the people power to scale up. We train volunteers and build local capacity to strengthen restoration efforts across the island.

Research-based action

We use science-based methods to improve reef health. By combining multiple reef enhancement techniques with ongoing monitoring and evaluation, we continuously refine our approach to maximize long-term impact.

Why it matters

Coral reefs are vital to Curaçao. They host the majority of the island's marine biodiversity, protect our coastline from erosion and storm damage, support our economy, and are a defining part of our identity. 

Yet, due to increasing local stressors, our reefs are under pressure. Coral cover is declining, populations of key herbivores have been reduced, and algae and other harmful organisms are becoming increasingly dominant on many reefs.