Sheba, one of our key partners, has launched the world's largest coral reef restoration program, restoring more than 185,000 square meters of reef by 2029.
For 30 years, the seafloor of Salisi' Besar, a reef off the coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia was silent, destroyed by blast fishing to become a lifeless, mobile grey coral rubble bed. In 2019, Sheba, building upon a decade of research and in partnership with the MARS team, restored a 50 meter long reef, spelling the word H-O-P-E. Since then, Hope has grown both above and below the water...
When we install Reef Stars, we don't just grow Hope for the coral reefs we're restoring. We grow and spread Hope for each person who is part of the journey, providing tangible evidence that there are man-made solutions for man-made problems.
Gita is an early career standout marine scientist, currently undertaking her Masters degree of marine science at IPB University. Gita has been part of both Mars Coral Reef Restoration Science Fieldwork Expeditions which took place in September 2022 and May 2023, where she was mentored in restoration science and monitoring by renowned scientists Dr. Timothy Lamont, Ben Williams, Jason Lynch and Dr. Ines Lange. Over 2023, Gita will complete the Sheba Hope Advocate Program (under sponsorship) and a 3-month studentship between September to December where she will visit world leading research institutes, present at a UK scientific conference, and develop her research career under Dr. Timothy Lamont.
Thanks to Hope Grows I have seen enormous coral reefs come back to life and give hope to their surroundings, the nearby people, and the coastal ecosystem itself. Seeing people who share in their interests and hope come together for this project makes me proud to be on this team. We think together, prepare together, go to the field together, dive together, and make big builds together, all with the motivation to restore one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the world: coral reefs. I believe that Sheba Hope Grows will continue to grow stronger and bigger around the world. The distance does not bother us; the ocean that connects us creates one community.
Alika has worked as a full-time Fire Fighter at the Honolulu Fire Department for the last 15 years and, in every moment of his spare time, works as the Executive Director of Kuleana Coral Restoration, an NGO focusing on coral restoration, reef monitoring and mapping, and education and outreach – all while maintaining traditional and sustainable native Hawaiian practices.
To me, Kuleana means taking responsibility to honor our past, take action in the present, and assure abundance for future generations. Kuleana is rooted in taking action and finding solutions, and that's what separates Hope Grows from other advocacy and policy talk that dominates the conservation world. The highlight of our partnership is that we are leading by an example of taking action, not just talking points and rhetoric. The Hope Grows movement exemplifies what community empowerment and corporate kuleana/responsibility could be for multiple industries around the world, and that's the only hope we have to make scalable and impactful change.
Rindah is an early career standout marine scientist, currently undertaking her Masters degree of marine science at IPB University. Rindah has been part of both Mars Coral Reef Restoration Science Fieldwork Expeditions which took place in September 2022 and May 2023, where she was mentored in restoration science and monitoring by renowned scientists Dr. Timothy Lamont, Ben Williams, Jason Lynch and Dr. Ines Lange. Over 2023, Rindah will complete the Sheba Hope Advocate Program (under sponsorship) and a 3-month studentship between September to December where she will visit world leading research institutes, present at a UK scientific conference, and develop her research career under Dr. Timothy Lamont.
Having been involved in this program since 2022, Hope Grows has given me a one-of-a-kind opportunity to protect and restore critically threatened coral reef ecosystems from a researcher's perspective. I was really amazed with how this program works. Sheba Hope Grows is not a “one and done” restoration program, it is a long commitment and dedication from all parties involved. With the hope and motivation for a better future for coral, local island communities, researchers, and field officers work hand-in-hand to bring this goal to life. Protecting the beauty of our coral reefs, may be a never-ending journey, but I believe all the effort we have given will not be in vain. I have big hope for Sheba Hope Grows, and it's an honor to be a part of this program.
Rebecca was our first ever Sheba Hope Grows Advocate and joined the coral restoration team out in the Maldives in 2022 where she received hands on experience in coral reef restoration.
I was left feeling incredibly inspired after spending a week in the Maldives contributing to the Sheba Hope Grows restoration project, in partnership with Maldives Coral Institute. It was a privilege to have contributed to the world’s largest coral restoration program as the first UK Hope Advocate (alongside the Maldivian Hope Advocate, Aiham) and to capture the story of the restoration through film and photography. A big highlight for me was the people I met; from the passionate team and volunteers to the friendly islanders who welcomed us into their homes and shared their stories of the reef with us. I also witnessed how the first phase of the project (completed in 2021) had dramatically changed a large area of previously degraded reef. It was an unforgettable experience to snorkel above both phases of the project - it filled me with hope to see the thousands of planted corals, which over time will kickstart the reefs natural recovery process. I came back to the UK feeling incredibly inspired and empowered to continue my journey within marine conservation, and I'm super grateful to be involved in the next stages of this ambitious and successful program as it expands across the globe.
Hi everyone, I'm Marion, I am French, currently living in Paris and have a big passion for the Ocean & Music! I joined Mars as my first company 6 years ago and have grown and developed in the organization since then. In 2020, I joined the Sheba team as the European Brand Manager. Mars gave me this amazing opportunity to combine my passion for the Ocean with work, leading the exciting launch of the Sheba Hope Grows program in EU. Working on this project helped me understand the urgency of the coral reef situation and awakened a new life purpose for me. Since then, I have been diving more and more, obtained qualifications and became a coral gardener in partnership with a French NGO that restores coral reefs. I feel proud to work for a company who cares and act for this important cause, and to be part of the Sheba Hope Grows movement.
The Sheba Hope Grows program has awakened a new life purpose for me! This is the beginning of an amazing journey to restore this beautiful ecosystem, and I am so excited by what’s coming next!
Sheba is building on the momentum of Hope Reef through the Hope Grows Campaign, a 10-year commitment to restore the rest of Salisi' Besar as well as undertaking restoration at other locations around the globe in need of hope, including Hawaii, Australia, and the maldives.
Thankfully, whoever you are, wherever you are, you can play a powerful part in restoring the ocean's natural splendour.
A community dedicated to investing time, care, and resources to collectively grow never-ending hope for coral reefs.
Check out the YouTube channel that grows coral below, proceeds from the channel will be donated to our partner, The Nature Conservancy, to support coral reef restoration projects.
We need projects that can advance our ambitious goals at speed and scale