The fact is we NEED and DEPEND of a healthy ocean and reefs as much as we need our trees and our forests.
We are working hand and hand with organizations that are actively helping to protect our oceans. 👇
We chose to partner with the Gili Eco Trust, a local non-profit organization committed to coral reef restoration, waste management, sustainable tourism, environmental education and animal welfare on Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia.
The Gili Eco Trust focuses on conservation, preservation, education, and restoration of the Gili Matra Marine Protected Area. I’ve seen hands on the eco projects they’re worked on and was excited to start working with them on our own conservation project.
The Gili Eco Trust is well know around the area and if you have ever been to the Gilis, you may have noticed that you are required to an ocean entrance fee to snorkel or dive in the ocean. That money goes directly to the Gili Eco Trust to help support conservation efforts in the area to maintain and encourage a sustainable experience for locals, tourists and marine life.
The PI team worked with the Gili Eco Trust on rebuilding the coral reef. We fully sponsored the build and drop of a massive 10-foot bio rock in Gili Trawangan.
Since installing our bio-rock in Gili Trawangan, the bio-rock has been home to hundreds of fish. A turtle was even spotted hanging out in the cavern that was created by the arches!
A bio-rock is a great way to preserve a coral reef, but nothing compares when it comes to protecting the reefs that we currently have. Each of us can help make a difference every time we enter the ocean. See our blog Why the Sun Block You are Wearing is Destroying the Ocean for tips on how you can do your part to protect the reefs!
We helped construct some of the tree structures that would be installed in the nursery and also donated to their fundraising event.
In September 2020, PIYOGA donated to the World Wildlife Fund. The WWF provides education on sea turtles and the daily threats that they face on a day to day basis. They also offer sea turtle adoption kits for animal lovers that come with a cute gift basket and more information about sea turtles. This organization provides tips for living a more conscious life with the sea turtles in mind. Here are some shocking facts we learned from them:
“Over the last 200 years, human activities have tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental capture—known as bycatch—in fishing gear. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites; it alters sand temperatures, which then affects the sex of hatchlings. Nearly all species of sea turtle are now classified as endangered, with three of the seven existing species being critically endangered.” -WWF
🐠 Watch Chasing Coral to understand what is happening underwater and how fast the coral is disappearing.
Coral Reefs are the most important and diverse ecosystems on the planet, supporting 25% of marine life in our ocean. At the moment, 75% of the coral reefs in the world are in great danger.