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A DIFFERENT KIND OF GARDENING:
PLANTING CORALS IN INDONESIA
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By Kerstin Erdbrink, SHEAC Member
I have recently returned from a two-year stay in Bali, Indonesia. My family and I had the unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in a different culture, reconnect with nature, and experience amazing adventures, such as exploring ancient temples and participating in traditional Balinese ceremonies.
Our time in Bali was filled with unforgettable moments and I feel grateful for the enriching experiences I had.
Being an avid native plant gardener at home in Tarrytown, I found myself deprived of my beloved yard, though. Not so knowledgeable about plant life in Southeast Asia, I turned my attention to a different kind of garden: a coral garden.
Coral reefs are essential for fish, in much the same way pollinators need gardens with native plants. Despite occupying less than 1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to over 25% of all marine life in tropical and subtropical waters. They are considered to be the "rainforests of the seas" due to their importance as nurseries, habitats, shelters, and food sources. Without coral reefs, ocean life would be severely impacted as they are crucial for supporting marine ecosystems.
As the number of pollinators has decreased at an alarming rate over the last 50 years, so have the coral reefs. Scientists believe that if we don’t do anything now, 70-90% of all reefs will be gone by 2050, with disastrous consequences for the oceans.
So, when the opportunity arose to participate in a reef restoration project through a local NGO, I didn’t hesitate and signed up for coral gardening.
Since then, it’s been quite the journey with numerous learning opportunities, countless hours above, in, and under water, and hundreds of new corals planted.
Coral gardening on a pontoon.
The Livingseas Foundation, an organization dedicated to the reef project since 2019, is based in Padangbai, Bali. With the support of the TUI Care Foundation, Livingseas operates an upcycled coral pontoon—a floating platform purpose-renovated to receive volunteers and visitors to plant corals.
Planting is done on artificial sand-coated steel structures called reef stars. Each star can hold up to 18 coral fragments, which are then positioned on the reef by the local dive team.
If you are a diver, you can complete the whole process underwater, which is better for the corals, as they don’t like to be out of the water for long (but can survive up to a couple of hours if necessary).
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, 2024 (rain date Sept 28) at Patriots Park from 10am to 1pm, in collaboration with the TaSH Farmers Market.The Eco Fair brings together community sustainability organizations and local businesses to educate and share ideas to enrich our Villages and enhance the environment. It is an opportunity for community members to increase awareness and engage on environmental issues. The goal is to highlight things that we can all do at home and in our own neighborhoods.