Reef Restoration in Action: Citizen Scientists at the Center

Coral fragments were planted with cement at the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve. These fragments will fuse into one coral head. Photo by Raul Ortiz.

This summer, coral reef restoration in Puerto Rico takes an important step forward—one that places community members directly at the heart of the science. Through this project, trained citizen scientists, led by Project Manager and volunteer Julia Lebonitte, will work alongside Isla Mar to help answer a critical question: what actually happens after herbivores like crabs and sea urchins are released onto the reef?

A scientific diver uses a fork to gently scoop up the long-spined sea urchin for release onto the reef at Tres Palmas. Photo by Raul Ortiz.

While coral outplanting and herbivore releases are increasingly common tools for restoration, the period immediately following release remains largely unstudied. This project is designed to fill that gap. Following a scheduled release in July 2026, volunteers will survey the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at key intervals—from days after release to one month later—tracking herbivore survival, movement, and behavior. Teams will conduct roving snorkel surveys to locate individuals and record distance from release points, survival success, and how they are aggregated or separated.

Our citizen scientists are trained to survey the reef benthos to help monitor changes over time.

Citizen scientists will be trained and supported by Isla Mar staff, building both data quality and local capacity for long-term reef stewardship. Participants are not just assisting—they are generating critical data that will inform how restoration is done across Puerto Rico.

This effort is made possible through a Community Conservation Grant from the Oceanic Society, a longtime partner in advancing experiential learning and conservation action. Isla Mar and the Oceanic Society have worked together since 2018 to lead the Ridge to Reef field course, an immersive program that connects participants to the full watershed—from upland forests to coral reefs—while emphasizing hands-on science and community engagement.

This project builds directly on that partnership, extending the Ridge to Reef philosophy into active restoration monitoring. Together, we are not only restoring reefs but also empowering people to understand and shape the future of these ecosystems.

How can you help?? Our citizen science program operates on donations! Help us do science by supporting Isla Mar with a monthly donation!

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