Coral Futures Academy: empowering local leaders for climate-smart coral restoration

The Coral Futures Academy (CFA) recently marked the official launch of the project Scaling up Identification, Protection, and Local Management of Climate-Resistant Coral Reefs, a new initiative to strengthen coral reef resilience in the face of climate change. This three-year, $1.5 million project, which began in September 2024, focuses on Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and the Marshall Islands. Led by the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Marshall Islands Conservation Society (MICS), Stanford University, and the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, the project is breaking new ground by equipping local leaders with the skills to integrate heat-resistance data into coral restoration efforts.

As climate change continues to impact coral reefs, effective restoration is more critical than ever. However, many traditional restoration efforts have overlooked the importance of using heat- resistant corals. External groups often lead restoration work but may lack local knowledge, which can result in fragile nurseries vulnerable to heat waves. This issue is particularly pressing in island nations like Palau, the FSM, and the Marshall Islands, where healthy reefs are essential for food security, local economies, and tourism. To address this challenge, the project identifies and integrates heat-resistant corals into restoration efforts while building local expertise. By training local leaders and forming restoration teams, the project ensures that efforts are scalable and grounded in local realities.

“Strengthening coral resilience is essential for Palau’s future, and local leadership is key to making restoration efforts sustainable,” stated Roxanne Siual Blesam, CEO of PICRC. “By equipping communities with the tools and knowledge, this project ensures that Palau and our Pacific neighbors are better prepared for the challenges of climate change.” The inaugural CFA workshop was held at PICRC from February 17 to 22, gathering partners from Palau, the Marshall Islands, and TNC, with expert guidance from Dr. Courtney Klepac of Stanford University. Two participants from Nauru also joined the training, highlighting growing regional interest in climate-smart coral restoration. The workshop combined classroom sessions and hands-on fieldwork, equipping participants with essential skills for identifying, testing, and restoring with heat-resistant corals.

Key training topics included site selection, nursery design and construction, collecting and testing coral fragments for heat resistance, using and troubleshooting portable testing kits, data analysis, and monitoring protocols. As part of the training, participants learned the process that PICRC has been using for the past three years to stress-test coral fragments: coral fragments are collected from donor reefs and exposed to controlled temperature ramps over four days, with temperatures ranging from 30° up to 37°C. Their health is monitored daily using a color-based technique that tracks bleaching under increasing heat stress. After testing, the fragments are categorized into high, medium, and low heat tolerance groups. Regardless of tolerance, all fragments are outplanted and monitored, as traits beyond heat resistance (like disease resistance or growth rates) are also critical for healthy, diverse coral populations.

Participants also visited PICRC’s coral restoration site in Ngaraard and a new trial site in Ebiil MPA North, where they installed a new nursery using tables, a method also being tested for its suitability in local conditions, compared to reef stars. Workshop discussions covered project timelines and the next steps, ensuring that each participant left with a clear plan to implement their training. “The project is at the forefront of coral restoration,” said Dr. Klepac. “While the science around effective restoration strategies is still evolving, this initiative marks an exciting step forward. It’s also the first-time local communities in the central Pacific are being trained to take the lead, bringing scientific knowledge into the hands of those who rely on the reefs the most.” As participants return to their communities to share their knowledge and train others in coral restoration techniques, the CFA continues to expand. The growing network of trained practitioners will play a crucial role in scaling up restoration efforts and ensuring that local communities remain central to climate adaptation strategies for coral reefs.