A Community Effort Stems Runoff to Safeguard Corals in Puerto Rico

The coral communities in Culebra were stressed by recognized erosion from an unpaved parking lot and road that had increased the volume of post-rainstorm runoff carrying pollutants. Community members managed to slow the flow of rainwater through erosion and sedimentation control, reforestation and habitat restoration through dune restoration, restoration of the line permanent vegetation, and delineation of vehicular and pedestrian access. Funding of this project came from the Coral Reef Conservation Program of NOAA. It was carried out through community collaboration among nonprofits CORALations and Society of Marine Environment, with active participation of the community of Culebra.