Help Rebuild the Gulf of Mexico Barrier Reef

Hey everyone, Ty here!

We spend a lot of time talking about the land, but today I want to take you underwater. If you’ve ever snorkeled or dived in the Gulf of Mexico, you know it’s usually a neon-colored, buzzing city of life. But lately? It’s looking a bit like a ghost town.

Climate change, over-activity, and pollution have turned thriving coral ecosystems into a bit of a struggle. And here’s the thing: these reefs aren't just pretty to look at. They are the frontline defense for our coastlines, they’re nurseries for the fish that keep our oceans healthy, and they’re the literal backbone of the marine environment.

The mission: Bringing the reef back to life We’re not just watching the reef fade away—we’re hitting the refresh button! We’re working with marine biologists and local partners on a massive restoration project. We’re talking:

• Coral Nurseries: Growing resilient coral "fragments" in protected areas until they’re strong enough to be replanted on the reef.

• Cleaning the "City": Clearing away debris and pollutants that are choking out the life that’s trying to hold on.

• Creating a "No-Go" Zone: Helping set up protected corridors where the reef can recover without being constantly disturbed by human activity.

Why it matters A healthy reef means a healthy ocean, and a healthy ocean means a safer, more vibrant future for everyone who lives on the coast. When the reef thrives, everything else follows.

Little by Little: The Power Play! This is a huge, long-term project, but we can make a massive dent in the next few days. The Little by Little campaign is hitting from March 17th – 20th, and GlobalGiving is 50% matching all donations up to $50, while matching funds remain.

• A $50 donation from you turns into $75 for us.

• That extra $25 is enough to get a new coral fragment into a nursery or fund the gear needed for a reef cleanup dive.

These matching funds disappear incredibly fast, so please save the date and jump in on the 17th. Let’s get to work—the reef is waiting!

Stay awesome,

Hi everyone,

We’re still out on the water every week keeping an eye on the reef and doing what we can with what we have. It’s been a mix of challenges and small victories but that’s what this work is all about.

The best moment this month was spotting one of the coral fragments we reattached two months ago now thriving. It’s full of colour and life again and it reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

We used to head out every two days but funding has been tight so we’re now managing every three or four. That means we sometimes miss early signs of bleaching and our data isn’t as detailed as we’d like, but we’re still making a real difference every time we get out there.

This reef is one of the most stunning places in the Gulf of Mexico and it deserves every bit of care we can give it. Your support keeps us diving, monitoring, restoring and protecting this amazing marine world.

Thank you for believing in us and for helping to keep this reef alive and beautiful for future generations.

With ocean love
The Action Change Team