SAVING CORAL REEFS IN THE ROCKIES

Here are a dozen simple things YOU can do here in Colorado to protect coral reefs and oceans throughout the world:


1. Conserve Water – the less water you use, the less wastewater finds its way back to the ocean

2. Recycle and Reuse – keeping trash out of oceans and landfills will improve water quality

3. Use Environmentally Safe Cleaning and Gardening Products – no matter how far from the ocean you are, the residues will make their way back to the ocean

4. Don’t Dump Waste in Drains – all eventually lead to rivers that flow to the ocean

5. Walk, Bike, Carpool or Ride the Bus – fossil fuel emissions from cars leads to ocean warming causing mass bleaching of corals which can lead to widespread destruction of coral reefs

6. Be a Responsible Seafood Eater – over-fishing, destructive fishing gear and poor aquaculture practices impact significantly on marine wildlife and habitats

7. Be an Informed Consumer – carefully consider the coral and marine fish you buy to insure that the harvest was legal, sustainable and ecologically sound

8. Learn More About Coral Reefs and Oceans – when you further your own education, you can help others understand the fragility and value of the world’s reefs and oceans

9. Support Conservation Organizations – many like Reef Check have coral reef programs and your monetary or volunteer support will make a difference

10. Become a Member of Your Local Aquarium or Zoo – ask what they are doing and what your donation can do toward saving the world’s reefs and oceans

11. Become an Ecotourist – when visiting the oceans and reefs, minimize your impact on these fragile systems by respecting all local guidelines, recommendations, regulations, and customs

12. SPREAD THE WORD – be the voice for our coral reefs and encourage others to get involved!