Mars Coral Reef
Restoration

Corales de Paz is a Colombian non-profit organization dedicated to coral reef conservation and restoration. They focus on integrating science, community, and sustainability into their efforts, working to restore and safeguard coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean. 

In 2024, a partnership was formed between Mars Sustainable Solutions, the SHEBA® brand Canada and Corales de Paz, as part of the expansion of the Sheba Hope Grows™ global program, with the aim of bringing HOPE to Colombian Reefs. The partnership will focus on sharing science-based restoration practices and facilitating the expansion of MARRS trained reef builders across the Caribbean. 

As part of our ongoing partnership with Corales de Paz, our first Colombian coral reef restoration program utilizing MARRS Reef Stars was completed in March 2024. In collaboration and support from Cardique, the local environmental authority, 100 Reef Stars were installed in Varadero Reef, Cartagena, outplanting approximately 1,500 coral fragments from a variety of species. 

The build event was attended by members of the Cartagena community and dozens of local Colombians who responded to an online call for volunteers on social media which Corales de Paz received an overwhelming response to. Although the sea surface conditions were challenging for coral tying on a boat and underwater visibility less than ideal due to a delayed end to the raining season, the build was a complete success, and the team will return to install another 50 reef stars across 2025.  

During the week, the Corales de Paz team were trained in Reef Star fabrication and installation and educated on the importance of maintenance and monitoring to improve the long-term success of their restoration efforts.  

 This partnership is just one of many forming between Mars Sustainable Solutions and Caribbean-based NGO’s who share the same goal... restoring the world’s coral reefs, one reef at a time!