CORAL’s 25th Anniversary
“For the last 25 years, CORAL has been delivering high-quality conservation programs that have made a difference in the world. We’re now prepared to take the next step in our progression as an organization: leveraging our knowledge and reputation as a highly-trusted partner to rally the conservation community to save coral reefs at a global scale.” – Dr. Michael Webster
Video Testimonials
You can send your own well-wishes for our anniversary by emailing your video clip to ysmalleynorman@!
Our History
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- 1994
CORAL Founded by Stephen Colwell & Anne Schulman
CORAL Founded by Stephen Colwell & Anne Schulman
September 19, 1994
- 1995
Partnered with the Palau Conservation Society to Support Protection of Rock Island Marine Park
Partnered with the Palau Conservation Society to Support Protection of Rock Island Marine Park
August 29, 1995
- 1996
Began Membership Program
Began Membership Program
August 29, 1996
- 1997
CORAL Launches Bonaire Dive Festival
CORAL Launches Bonaire Dive Festival
July 24, 1997
- 1998
CORAL Awarded Scuba Diving Magazine Award for Diver Involvement in Conservation
CORAL Awarded Scuba Diving Magazine Award for Diver Involvement in Conservation
August 28, 1998
- 1999
Became a Founding Member of the International Coral Reef Network (ICRAN)
Became a Founding Member of the International Coral Reef Network (ICRAN)
August 28, 1999
- 2000
CORAL Begins Dive in to Earth Day
CORAL Begins Dive in to Earth Day
July 24, 2000
- 2001
Launched the Dive Operator Recognition Program to Reward Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
Launched the Dive Operator Recognition Program to Reward Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
August 28, 2001
- 2002
Conducted the first-ever survey of marine park managers of coral reef protected areas
Conducted the first-ever survey of marine park managers of coral reef protected areas
August 28, 2002
- 2003
Awarded a $600k Grant by USAID to foster sustainable tourism along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Awarded a $600k Grant by USAID to foster sustainable tourism along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
August 28, 2003
- 2004
CORAL creates a new dive tag program for the Namena Marine Reserve
CORAL creates a new dive tag program for the Namena Marine Reserve
August 28, 2004
- 2005
Completed the Design of the Coral Reef Sustainable Destination (CRSD)Model
Completed the Design of the Coral Reef Sustainable Destination (CRSD)Model
August 28, 2005
- 2006
Published Voluntary Standards for Marine Recreation to Enhance Protection of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Published Voluntary Standards for Marine Recreation to Enhance Protection of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
August 28, 2006
- 2007
Implemented the Coral Reef Sustainable Destination (CRSD) Model in 7 Communities Around the World
Implemented the Coral Reef Sustainable Destination (CRSD) Model in 7 Communities Around the World
August 28, 2007
- 2008
Sponsored Educational Events Around the World in Honor of the 2008 International Year of the Reef (IYOR)
Sponsored Educational Events Around the World in Honor of the 2008 International Year of the Reef (IYOR)
August 28, 2008
- 2009
CORAL Helps Establish the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area in West Maui
CORAL Helps Establish the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area in West Maui
August 28, 2009
- 2010
Expanded our Marine Conservation Network to Amed, North Bali
Expanded our Marine Conservation Network to Amed, North Bali
August 28, 2010
- 2011
Collaborated with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the San Pedro Tour Guide Association to Host the First Lionfish Tournament in San Pedro, Belize
Collaborated with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the San Pedro Tour Guide Association to Host the First Lionfish Tournament in San Pedro, Belize
August 28, 2011
- 2012
CORAL and Partners Encourage Honduran Government to Declare Cordelia Banks a Site of Wildlife Importance
CORAL and Partners Encourage Honduran Government to Declare Cordelia Banks a Site of Wildlife Importance
August 28, 2012
- 2013
Launched Organizational Rebrand with New Butterflyfish Logo
Launched Organizational Rebrand with New Butterflyfish Logo
August 28, 2013
- 2014
Awarded the First CORAL Conservation Prize to Nyoman Sugiarate, a Balinese Fisherman
Awarded the First CORAL Conservation Prize to Nyoman Sugiarate, a Balinese Fisherman
August 28, 2014
- 2015
Launched the Modeling Adaptation Potential (MAP) Project for Adaptive Reefscapes
Launched the Modeling Adaptation Potential (MAP) Project for Adaptive Reefscapes
August 28, 2015
- 2016
CORAL Motivates 17 Shoreline Property Owners in Maui to Implement “Reef-Friendly” Landscaping
CORAL Motivates 17 Shoreline Property Owners in Maui to Implement “Reef-Friendly” Landscaping
August 28, 2016
- 2017
“Who Should Pick the Winners of Climate Change” is Published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution
“Who Should Pick the Winners of Climate Change” is Published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution
August 28, 2017
- 2018
Developed a New Strategic Plan for Saving Coral Reefs Around the Globe
Developed a New Strategic Plan for Saving Coral Reefs Around the Globe
August 28, 2018
- 2019
Celebrated the 25th Anniversary of our Founding
Celebrated the 25th Anniversary of our Founding
August 28, 2019
