“Scaling up” solutions for reef remediation and restoration in the Biosphere 2 Ocean mesocosm

Mesocosms like the Biosphere 2 provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between observational and experimental studies to test novel solutions at reef scales. Given their potential impact on reef management and restoration, such experiments must be thoughtfully designed, validated, and monitored to address potential limitations and increase the applicability of the findings to natural reefs. This workshop will bring together international reef scientists interested in leveraging the Biosphere 2 and similar facilities to discuss lessons learned and identify the opportunities and challenges for the next generation of mesocosm experiments to test radical reef solutions.

Friday, December 13th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

NEOM’s New Coral Action Plan - Incorporating Coral Restoration, Coral Interventions and Coral Reef Maintenance into MPA Start-up Design and Implementation

This workshop is targeted those interested in the direct incorporation of reef restoration, coral interventions, and active coral maintenance into the day-to-day management of a new and diverse coral reef marine protected area. The case study will be the activation and designation of the new NEOM Nature Marine Reserve; a marine protected area covering 3836 square kilometers and encompassing over 20 different types of coral reefs. In recognition that in today’s world climate change and secondary effects associated with human’s response to climate change must be built into both the design and operation of a large-scale coral reef ecosystem marine protected area, NEOM Nature set-out to create a dynamic and innovative Coral Action Plan incorporating restoration, active reef maintenance (i.e. using restoration techniques to maintain and enhance reef structures, usually for targeted human use to redirect such use away from more sensitive areas) and coral interventions targeting minimizing effects of thermal events on coral reefs. The interactive workshop will present key portions of the plan, the developed tools and provide opportunities for participants to actively engage and discuss the plan for participant review and comment.

Friday, December 13th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

Biobanking and Biorepositories: Securing the Future of Global Coral Reef Ecosystem

Biorepositories can help secure the biodiversity and genetic diversity of coral reefs. Over the summer of 2024, the Coral Biobank Alliance (CBA) asked the wider international coral conservation community to consider biobanking as it might be applied to current and future coral ecosystem conservation and scholarly works. Through a SWOT analysis of that proposition and with the engagement of a diverse group of international subject matter experts, the Coral Biobank Alliance has created a network vision, mission, and set of draft objectives to build the scope and scale of coral biorepository applications. In this workshop, the CBA invites the guidance and partnership of the larger community to help prioritize and direct its actions in support of coral biorepositories globally.

Thursday, December 12th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

Methods for novel ex-situ Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease treatment.

The Iberostar Wave of Change team in the Dominican Republic instituted a novel ex-situ Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) treatment that has demonstrated 94% success at treating coral colonies showing SCTLD-like lesions (n=34 with Dendrogyra cylindrus, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Orbicella faveolata, O. annularis, and O. franksi). This treatment has shown to function as a valuable tool to preserve genetic diversity while also helping to keep SCTLD out of land-based restoration facilities. This workshop will thoroughly demonstrate the methods to professionally implement this protocol without the use of live corals, providing attendees with the knowledge needed to incorporate this protocol into their coral restoration and preservation activities. This workshop will also include a demonstration on how to implement in-situ SCTLD treatment methods.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational science and technology to create efficiencies in coral reef restoration (Part 1)

During this two-part workshop we will bring industry leaders in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational science and technologies together with coral reef restoration practitioners to identify key areas that could be advanced within the field. Topics of discussion during part 1 will include but not limited to the currently available AI/ML tools, data security, accessibility, and storage, limitations of the tools available, identification of key areas of development across all areas of restoration. Each topic area or idea discussed will be documented and collectively ranked for priority and technology readiness level (TRL). In part 2 (invited guests), a road map and subsequent review paper for how computer science and technology will aid in more efficient scaling of the field will be developed.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

The Acropora cervicornis Data Coordination Hub (AcDC), an open access tool for implementing coral genotype performance metrics in restoration

The 2023 mass bleaching event and widespread mortality of acroporid corals underscores the need to employ data-driven approaches to increase restoration efficiency, success, and scale. This workshop will highlight the Acropora cervicornis Data Coordination Hub (AcDC), a web-accessible tool that facilitates the comparison of coral genotype performance data regardless of format, including important phenotypes such as growth rate, bleaching tolerance, and disease resistance. This workshop is aimed to accommodate ~75 individuals including restoration practitioners, managers, and scientists to familiarize themselves with AcDC and give feedback for future iterations to continue to meet the needs of the community. Join us as we demonstrate the platform’s new features for evaluating genet performance, guide you on how to submit data, and discuss expanding the tool to include more species across a larger geographic region.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

Bringing Corals to Land (And Keep Them For the Long Haul): A How To Session 

Rising disease and bleaching events have led practitioners to consider moving coral to land-based facilities more than ever before for activities like live biobanking, coral spawning, larval settlement, and care. Many believe that lacking expertise and resources prevents them from making this possible. The Reef Institute offers a hands-on practical workshop on transitioning to land-based coral operations, covering vision, fundamentals, construction, problem-solving, and Q&A sessions. It benefits organizations considering land-based work, transitioning from temporary setups, or seeking practical insights on long term land-based coral work.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

An introduction to sexual coral restoration in the Pacific

The workshop will be a Pacific-region centric introduction to larval-based restoration methodologies and insights into developing a successful program. Facilitators will discuss best practices for developing spawning calendars and conducting gamete collection, fertilization, rearing, settlement, and outplanting. We will review and demonstrate available technologies, look at successful programs in the region, and connect attendees with resources for continued learning.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

The Eastern Tropical Pacific Network

The ETP restoration network (also known as the Red del Pacífico Tropical Oriental or Red PTO), is part of the Coral Restoration Consortium's Regional Practitioner Network and builds on a previous effort to improve collaboration among the various restoration efforts, and particularly to explore how to tackle the larger barriers in research and collaboration that would benefit all members of the networks. We invite ETP researchers to join us in this workshop, where we will: 1) refresh the membership of the Red PTO; 2) invite informal summaries of work being done by ETP practitioners; and 3) discuss opportunities for collaborative projects and research in this region.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

Free

The Power of Story Telling

What is the role of personal narrative and story in change-making today? How do we convey what we care most about in a way that earns respect and a real response from our neighbors? Peter Forbes believes that change rarely arises from rational data and information but more often from personal narrative and story. Knowing may not be as important to making change as trusting. The art of change-making today is learning how to convert what is in our heads in a way that authentically reaches someone else’s heart. In this event we’ll explore through story what you care most about today and learn how to develop the courage and the skill to speak up, speak out, and to find your voice.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

18:00

$10.00

MesoReefDAO Capital Allocation Program: Using DeSci and Web3 Tools (Offering 1 of 2)

MesoReefDAO's workshop on capital allocation introduces researchers, NGOs, and enterprises to the use of DeSci and Web3 tools for funding coral reef restoration initiatives. Participants will learn the basics of crypto, Web3, and DAOs, followed by practical applications using platforms like Gitcoin and Giveth. By the end of the workshop, attendees will be equipped with a basic knowledge of the crypto ecosystem as it relates to public goods and services, enabling them to launch successful crowdfunding campaigns for socio-ecological projects.

Monday, December 9th

15:00

17:00

$10.00

Reef Futures Film Festival

Explore coral restoration efforts from every corner of the globe through a curated film showcase. Then, take a deep dive into the dynamics of conservation messaging with an expert panel discussion featuring leading voices in environmental journalism and documentary filmmaking. The session will be chaired by Alice Grainger, CRF™ Senior Director of Strategic Engagement.

Tuesday, December 10th

15:00

18:00

Free