IT STARTS WITH YOU!
YOU CAN RESTORE A REEF, A DUNE AND A MANGROVE.
YOU CAN RESTORE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEMS.
YOU CAN EMPOWER COMMUNITIES.
YOU CAN SUPPORT MARES CENTER.
DONATE NOW!
Here at MARES Center, we are lucky to live in front of the ocean in Mahahual, Mexico. We see firsthand the beauty of our Caribbean home.
While our vibrant coral reefs face challenges from bleaching, we are seeing new opportunities for protection and restoration to bring them back to life. Our coast not only needs our help underwater, in our reefs, but also on land. Our mangroves, nature's powerful guardians against storms, can be protected and restored. Our coastline is ready for innovative erosion solutions to mitigate climate events, and we're learning how to manage invasive species like lionfish. All these efforts create a safer and healthier ecosystem, benefiting not only the planet and us, humans, but also fish, corals, turtles, plants, and countless other living species.
We understand that when we care for the ocean, it cares for us and our communities in return.
HOW DOES MARES CENTER MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
At MARES Center, we believe in action that transforms. Every day, you'll find us in the water, across the dunes and the mangroves, and alongside our community, working together to find solutions.
Here's how we are making a difference:
- We restore coral reefs by cultivating coral fragments in our underwater nurseries, transplanting those fragments back into our reefs. In 2023, we built the Mahahual Marine Restoration Lab, an ex-situ nursery where endangered corals and reef herbivores are cultivated, and where future conservationists learn by doing.
- We reforest mangroves and rebuild dunes using native vegetation to protect our shorelines and strengthen their biodiversity.
- We monitor marine life from sharks, rays and turtles to invasive lionfish. We collect data to understand and preserve the balance of our coastal ecosystems.
- We educate and engage the community through workshops with children, local training thanks to specialists who turn awareness into action and education.
- We build capacity by training young scientists, hosting interns and collaborating with local leaders, businesses and international partners to scale long-term impact.
BY DONATING NOW, YOU ARE HELPING CORALS GROW, COMMUNITIES LEARN, AND ECOSYSTEMS THRIVE AGAIN. This is about protecting lives, strengthening coastal resilience, and inspiring the next generation to protect our planet.
WHY DOES YOUR SUPPORT MATTER NOW?
The ocean and our coastlines call for action and hope. Half the air you breathe comes directly from the ocean; therefore, it is crucial to protect it.
While the UN Environment Programme warns of a 90% coral reef loss if we don't act, when given the chance, coral reefs demonstrate an incredible capacity to recover, often far faster than researchers previously imagined. Even by protecting small and carefully chosen areas it can create huge benefits and spillovers. Restoration directly strengthens the reefs, dunes and mangroves themselves and rebuilds vital structures that provide essential habitats for various species, marine animals, and other incredible ocean and land creatures.
YOU CAN SUPPORT MARES!
Every achievement is thanks to you!
We already have
…Outplanted over 4,000 corals (enough to repopulate a living reef the size of a basketball court).
…Mapped 12 km of coastline (it's about the size of 140 soccer fields).
…Hosted 200+ volunteers and 150+ interns.
…Built the first marine restoration lab and wetlab in Mahahual.
Since 2017, MARES Center has been working to make Mahahual a model for sustainable coastal development. Our NGO leads a wide range of environmental programs from coral restoration and mangrove research to eco-certification and community education all grounded in local collaboration and science.
We work hand-in-hand with schools, municipalities and private partners and we welcome interns from across the world through academic partnerships in fields like biology, ecology, engineering, tourism, and more.
Together, we’re turning Mahahual into a model for how communities can protect and restore entire ecosystems. Now, we invite you to be part of our journey by donating to create a future where marine life recovers.
FOLLOW THE CHANGE, STAY CONNECTED AND GET INVOLVED!
If you want to track our progress and continue to support our efforts, follow us and share our story!
Our Instagram: @marescenter
Our LinkedIn: MARES Center
Our TikTok: @marescenter
Our Facebook: MARES Center
Are you Interested in becoming more than a donor? Are you thinking about becoming a volunteer, an intern, or an ambassador? Don't hesitate and join us! Click here for opportunities to get involved.
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