Our Work

Our work is guided by the Guam Coral Reef Resiliency Strategy, which was developed in 2018 with input from our local and national partnering organizations.

Calm waters with a dock and a palm tree hanging over the water

The strategy focuses on 5 main goals:

1. Effective fisheries management

2. Decreased land-based sources of pollution

3. Increased reef response and restoration

4. Sustainable recreational use and tourism

5. Human community resilience and climate change adaptation

The Guam Coral Reef Initiative team seeks to use many different approaches to address threats to Guam’s coral reefs. We regularly collaborate with other partners around the island on programs, projects, and plans, so read on to learn more!

Programs

Eyes of the Reef Marianas

A large group of people sitting in plastic chairs watching a presenter deliver a training

A training program to equip our community members with the skills and knowledge to identify and report coral reef threats

    • Eyes of the Reef Marianas is a program that trains community members on identifying impacts on coral reefs and techniques for reporting impacts to coral managers. The program covers topics such as coral bleaching, coral disease, marine debris, crown-of-thorns starfish, and nuisance species. Training materials are online, and in person training events are open to the public.

      Update: The Eyes of the Reef training program and website are currently being revamped, but follow our Facebook page for updates on upcoming training dates!

    In the numbers

    • Launched in 2018

    • 5 in-person training sessions held to date

Watershed Restoration

A man in a green shirt helps a boy plant a tree sapling

Join us outdoors in working with DOAG forestry to plant trees that will restore upland areas and reduce impacts to coral reefs downstream

    • Pollution, stormwater, and sediments flow from the land onto adjacent coral reefs. These inputs can smother corals, cause harmful algal blooms, and result in coral disease outbreaks. Guam’s natural resource managers, students, and community members are working together to actively restore Guam’s watersheds to decrease the amount of pollution and sediments reaching our reefs. Watershed restoration increases the amount of vegetation on Guam’s land by replanting slopes and reducing the impacts of wildland fires and offroading. By planting trees and other native plants, we can prevent erosion; the roots of plants will hold the soil in place and reduce sediment runoff onto the reefs when it rains.

    • Watershed restoration is occurring in Malesso, Merizo, As Gadao, Masso Reservoir, and other sites around Guam. The work is spearheaded by the Guam Department of Agriculture Forestry and Soil Resources Division and is supported by NOAA, the Guam Coral Reef Initiative, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, and other natural resource managers.

    • Community members are invited to attend plantings, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for upcoming opportunities!

Firebreak Maintenance

Bright green grassy hillside overlooking the blue ocean with a few people weed-whacking the grass

Photo by Guam DoAg Forestry

Sign up to join our community firebreak maintenance team

    • Fires cause enormous damage to the people, structures, and ecosystems of Guam. While it may seem like their impacts are only limited to the land, they can affect coral reefs as well. The vegetation that normally stabilizes the hillside is cleared away by fires, making it much easier for the rain to carry sediment runoff into the ocean where it can smother corals and introduce harmful new chemicals. Fires can also decimate watershed restoration efforts that are aimed at protecting reefs from erosion and runoff.

    • To combat this issue, GCRI partners with the Department of Agriculture Forestry division to get the community involved with maintaining firebreaks. This program was restarted in January of 2023 and recruits locals to help with firebreak maintenance for 2-week stints with a stipend of $15/hour.

    • Click the button below to see the flyer with more details and contact information!

    In the numbers

    • 30+ participants to date

    • 120 square acres of firebreak area cleared

    • Launched 2016

Guardians of the Reef

A large group of high schoolers wearing red and yellow paper hats smiling at the camera and holding coral-related signs

Empowering the next generation to care for Guam’s coral reefs

    • The Guardians of the Reef Program is a collaboration between the Bureau of Statistics and Plans and the Guam Department of Education intended to mentor and educate the next generation of conservation leaders.

    • The program trains high school students to conduct presentations to third-grade students in a classroom setting about coral reefs, their importance to our island, the threats they face, and actions they can take to help preserve these valuable resources.

    • GCRI currently assists with funding and coordination for Guardians of the Reef, but the students and teachers are truly the lifeblood of this program!

    In the numbers

    • 7 high schools involved (6 public and 1 private)

    • 26 elementary schools served

    • Launched in 2007

Guam Coral Reef Response Team

A woman walking into the ocean carrying a floatation device next to a vessel that has run aground

Preparing local reef managers to respond to immediate threats and deliver coral reef first aid

    • The Guam Coral Reef Response Team responds to acute impacts on Guam's coral reef ecosystems, including coral bleaching events, outbreaks of nuisance and invasive species, vessel groundings and chemical spills, and coral disease outbreaks. The Response Team includes representatives from local and federal government agencies and the University of Guam. GCRI coordinates and participates in this team.

    • In recent years, the Response Team has been busy collecting data on coral bleaching, which impacted Guam's reefs in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. This effort is important as it allows local researchers and coral reef managers to better understand which of Guam's reefs may be most resilient to the impacts of climate change.

    • The Response Team is also conducting removal efforts for the crown-of-thorns sea star (known as COTS), which eats coral; one COTS can eat up to 100 square feet of live coral per year! Additionally, Response Team members track and remove invasive algae, remove marine debris (such as fishing nets) when necessary, and restore coral reefs that are damaged by vessel groundings and other physical impacts.

Guam Restoration and Intervention Partnership (GRRIP)

Four scuba divers underwater holding trays of small coral fragments

Photo by Ashley Castro

Sharing local knowledge and resources to better serve Guam’s coral reefs

    • Sharing local knowledge and resources to better serve Guam’s coral reefs

    • The Guam Reef Restoration and Intervention Partnership (GRRIP) is a local team of scientists, managers, volunteers, and other concerned citizens conducting restoration on Guam.

    • GRRIP uses various coral cultivation techniques to grow corals quickly and securely in coral nurseries before they can reach a stable size and be outplanted to degraded reefs around Guam. The GCRI participates in restoration activities led by this group.

Projects

At GCRI, we are always working on various projects and producing new resources to help educate the community on the importance of Guam’s coral reefs. Explore some of our current and completed projects below.

  • Translated reef informational brochures

    These brochures share helpful information on reef-friendly recreation, ocean safety, and marine preserve fishing regulations. They are translated into various locally-spoken languages to inform our community and visitors on how to care for our reefs.

    Check it out
  • Guam Coastal Adventure Coloring Book cover page

    Guam Coastal Adventure Coloring Book

    This fun coloring book was developed by GCRI to educate and inspire the younger generation to protect Guam’s amazing underwater ecosystems!

    Check it out
  • Graphic depicting reef-safe sunblock guidelines

    Reef-safe sunblock guide

    Did you know that most of the sunblocks we use contain chemicals that can kill corals? Check out this reef-safe sunblock guide that we made to help you find sunblocks that are safe to use when you explore the reef.

    Check it out
  • A wooden sign in the shape of a triggerfish standing in cement in front of a tropical beach

    Coastal Signs

    GCRI is collaborating with other organizations to produce signs promoting water safety, reef-safe recreation, and compliance with marine preserve regulations at local beaches. The first sign was unveiled at Ypao Beach in 2021, with 3 more signs posted in 2023 and 2024. More signs are underway!

    Learn more
  • White text on a royal blue background that reads "This Episode: Seagrass"

    PBS University

    This 4-part video series was developed by GCRI in partnership with Guam PBS to help students learn about Guam’s seagrass and mangrove habitats!

    Check it out
  • Screenshot of the virtual scavenger hunt with text and photos

    Mangrove and Seagrass Virtual Scavenger Hunt

    This virtual scavenger hunt was developed during the pandemic to allow students to explore Guam’s seagrass meadows and mangrove forests while sheltering in place. The scavenger hunt is educational and fun for all ages and gives you a glimpse into Guam’s marine habitats!

    Try it out

Plans

  • Guam Coral Bleaching Response Plan cover page

    Guam Coral Bleaching Response Plan

    This plan was developed in 2017 by GCRI in partnership with the UOG Marine Laboratory and several other agencies to maximize the effectiveness of the Guam Coral Reef Response Team and create a plan for responding to bleaching events.

    View the Plan
  • Guam Crown-of-Thorns Outbreak Response Plan cover page

    Guam Crown-of-Thorns Outbreak Response Plan

    This plan was developed in 2017 by GCRI in collaboration with local and federal partners to appropriately address outbreaks of a local nuisance species, the Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star (COTS).

    View the Plan
  • Guam Coral Reef Resilience Strategy cover page

    Guam Coral Reef Resilience Strategy

    This strategy was developed in 2018 by GCRI in collaboration with other partners to enhance the resilience of Guam’s coral reef ecosystems and human communities to the impacts of climate change by 2025. This plan was updated in 2019.

    View the Plan
  • Infographic with a navy blue background and light green text listing steps in the restoration planning process

    (In-Progress) Guam Coral Reef Restoration Action Plan

    GCRI is in the process of writing a long-term plan for restoring local reefs. This action plan focuses on 3 goals: restoring reef community structure and function, restoring reef fish habitat to support fisheries, and recovering rare and ecologically-important coral species.

    View the Planning Process Infographic

Check out what we’ve been up to lately!

  • Ritidian Field Trip Outreach

    GCRI staff did a nature journaling demo for elementary school students on a field trip at the Ritidian Wildlife Refuge.

  • Service Learning Teacher Summit

    GCRI staff hosted an outreach table at the annual Service Learning Teacher Summit to help provide local educators with coral reef curriculum and resources!

  • Career Day Presentations

    GCRI staff presented at several Career Day events at local elementary schools in 2024. In this photo, a staff member teaches students about diving safety gear she uses to conduct coral surveys.

  • Three women smiling and standing in clear teal water with snorkel gear and flotation devices

    Post-Typhoon Mawar Reef Damage Assessments

    GCRI staff and local partners prepare to hop in the water for a snorkel survey to assess typhoon-related reef damage

  • A large group of adults smiling while standing in the water in a mangrove swamp

    Sasa Bay Mangrove Field Trip 2023

    Participants in the Sasa Bay Mangrove Field Trip pose for a photo while knee-deep in mangrove swamp mud! This field trip was led by GCRI staff led as part of the Marianas Terrestrial Conference. Photo by Louis Hiram

  • A woman smiling while sharing a presentation to a group of audience members indoors

    Restoration Action Plan Stakeholder Meeting 2023

    GCRI staff fielding questions and input from local reef managers and practitioners at a stakeholder meeting. This meeting was the first of several that will be held to get the community involved in the planning process of the Restoration Action Plan.

  • A woman talking to a group of teenagers gathered around while standing on the beach

    Ritidian National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip 2022

    GCRI staff teach visiting middle school students about local species on the beach as part of a field trip organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

  • Two women staff members talking with visitors at a community event

    Migratory Birds Celebration 2023

    GCRI staff engaging visitors with their sustainable reef fishing activity, showing visitors how to measure their catch to ensure that their fish is big enough to have already reproduced!

  • Two individuals hiking along a grassy path with a view of the ocean

    Watershed Reforestation Data Collection 2022

    GCRI staff leaving the As Gadao reforestation site after taking measurements of tree saplings that were planted to help reforest the area and reduce sediment runoff onto downstream reefs.

  • A scuba diver handing a scrub brush to a snorkeler underwater

    Reef Brigades Training Program 2022

    GCRI staff offer snorkel support to a diver outplanting a coral fragment during the Reef Brigades training program. Coordinated by the Nature Conservancy with help from GCRI, this program trained 24 reef managers from Guam and other Pacific islands to deliver coral reef first aid in response to storm damage. Photo by Calina Zepeda

  • Three women and one man smiling while standing behind a table with cleanup equipment

    World Oceans Day Cleanup 2022

    GCRI staff smiling after the successful completion of their World Oceans Day trash cleanup event!

  • Two snorkelers waist-deep in water with seagrass floating all around and recording data

    Seagrass Sampling 2022

    GCRI staff measuring tape grass, Enhalus acoroides, and collecting samples in Malesso’ to send to collaborators at Vrije Universiteit Brussel for genetic analysis. This research collaboration will help local managers understand how closely related local patches of seagrass beds are to inform future restoration efforts. Photo by Brent Tibbatts

  • A group of adults smiling with a blue background

    Reef Futures Conference 2022

    Coral reef managers and practitioners from Guam and CNMI, including some GCRI staff, at the Reef Futures Conference in Key Largo, Florida. Photo by Ashley Castro

  • Young boy talks with a woman staff member next to a touch tank

    Ag Loves GU 2023

    Young visitors having fun exploring our temporary touch tank and interacting with GCRI staff at the Ag Loves GU event

  • A snorkeler swimming above a coral colony and fish swimming nearby

    Restoration Planning Site Visits 2023

    GCRI staff hop in the water off the coast of Agat Cemetary to spec out the reef as a potential site for future coral reef restoration.

  • Woman staff member presenting with a large screen to a small audience

    U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting 2022

    GCRI staff presenting at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Kona, Hawaii. GCRI staff are regular contributing members to the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, a nationwide organization dedicated to protecting U.S. Coral Reefs.

Past Programs and Projects

  • A group of adults in front of a projector screen holding certificates of completion inside a hotel

    Hotels FOR Guam

    Hotels FOR Guam was a partnership between BSP, NOAA, FOR Guam, and GHRA piloting seven hotels in Tumon Bay to reduce the impacts of tourism and recreational use on Guam’s coral reefs. The program cultivated environmental champions within the tourism industry who educated hotel staff on coral reef ecology, impact reporting, and safe and sustainable tourism. The program raised awareness and stewardship of coral reefs to Guam’s visitors by integrating coral reef outreach across various departments and marketing materials. This program was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Two staff member women smiling with a young boy holding a blue bag

    Guam Year of the Reef 2018

    The third Guam Year of the Reef was Proclaimed by Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio by Resolution No 337-34 on February 2, 2018, to recognize the economic, biological, social, and cultural value of Guam’s coral reefs.

    Guam Year of the Reef (GYOR) is a localized effort of the International Year of the Reef, which only occurs every ten years. Throughout 2018, GCRI highlighted Guam’s coral reef resources through social media, community events, newsletters, and new partnerships. Through the effort, GCRI developed new banners and outreach materials, and hosted a GYOR exhibit at the Guam Museum. GYOR2018 was a huge success with over 30 community events, a network of 22 partners, over 1,400 coral pledges by community members and visitors, and 300 Facebook followers.

  • Snorkelers in the ocean holding up surveying equipment

    Community Coral Monitoring with FOR Guam

    Friends of Reefs (FOR) Guam, formerly the Guam Community Coral Reef Monitoring Program, was a community program that supported stewardship of our island’s marine environment by Guam residents. Launched in 2012, FOR Guam started as a citizen science program to train residents to help monitor different reef flat areas in Guam. FOR Guam is currently being revamped and turned into a new program with a fisheries emphasis under the Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR).

    Photo by the Guam Community Coral Monitoring Program

“We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do.”

— Sylvia Earle

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