January 2025
Newsletter

Dear Supporters,

Happy New Year! Wishing our planet and her people a year of hope, peace, and positive change towards a better future for all. We took a little time to recharge with our loved ones over the past weeks but we’re back to kickstart this new chapter!

As I reflect on these past 12 months, I’m filled with immense gratitude for your support. It was an incredible year! I had the privilege of representing our organization at multiple international coral reef science and conservation events and I’m proud to share that the work we’re doing in the Turks and Caicos Islands is not only having a positive local impact, but also making waves globally. None of this would be possible without you.

In 2024, we all witnessed the mounting pressures on our planet—rising global temperatures, increased storm activity, environmental degradation, and political challenges that sometimes seem to stall progress. Yet, amid these growing concerns, we also see hope. It’s in the passion of communities coming together to protect our natural world and in the resilience of ecosystems fighting to survive.

For 2025, we have even bigger goals. Our coral reefs need our collective action more than ever, and with your help, I am confident we can amplify our impact even further. The future of these vital ecosystems depends on us, and I am excited to continue this journey with you by our side.

Thank you for standing with the reefs and for the future of our planet. Together, we are creating lasting change, even in the face of global challenges.

With Hope,

Alizée Zimmermann
Executive Director
Turks and Caicos Reef Fund

A look back on 2024…

As we begin 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements we made together in 2024 and to share our excitement for the work that lies ahead in the new year. It was a year filled with milestones, challenges, and inspiration—and we’re thrilled to carry that momentum into 2025. Here are some of the highlights from last year that we’re particularly proud of:

Expansion of coral rescue efforts

Thanks to your support, we made significant strides in our coral rescue initiatives in 2024. Our team grew, adding a full-time aquarist to the staff, and our bio-bank reached full capacity with 180 colonies spanning 11 reef-building species.

We are now working actively to expand in 2025, and our corals are thriving! We invite you to come see the progress for yourself.

strengthened community engagement

Our community outreach programs reached new heights last year. We forged new partnerships with local schools, businesses, and residents, deepening our collective understanding of coral and coastal conservation.

We now welcome 40 students and 4 teachers each week from schools across Providenciales. Additionally, two rounds of SCUBA certifications helped 12 new divers explore the underwater world!

Sustainability Commitment & Conservation Support

2024 saw the launch of Reef Keepers, a tiered program where hotels and villas commit to sustainability while supporting our conservation efforts.

Through a voluntary $2 per night donation at checkout, guests can directly contribute to coral conservation. Our first hotel partner, Wymara, has achieved an impressive 90+% opt-in rate, raising $40k in the past eight months.

Andaz Turks & Caicos, who are founding members, are now Champion Reef Keepers, committing to ongoing coral reef monitoring and donating 1% of their sales from 6 Reef Units to TC Reef in 2025.

In December, Ocean Club Resorts joined the program, and we’re excited to welcome more properties in the coming year. Visitors to the TCI are eager to give back, and this program offers a meaningful and effective way to do so.

International Collaboration and press

On a global scale, we raised awareness about the unique challenges facing coral reefs. In 2024, Alizee had the honor of attending several major events, including the AGRRA Caribbean Coral Restoration Roadmaps Workshop in Key West, the Coral Conservation in the Overseas Territories (UK) Workshop and Reef Conservation UK conference in London, and the Reef Futures Conference in Mexico. Her presentations focused on biobanking corals and the importance of community engagement in conservation. Additionally, our work was featured in the BBC and InsideClimate News, helping to shine a global spotlight on the urgent need for coral reef protection.

Cutting-Edge Science in the Field & the Lab

Our collaborations with multiple research groups in 2024 were incredibly fruitful, bridging the gap between local knowledge and scientific research. Our RumPowered Research® charter was a success, and we’re looking forward to our 2025 expedition. We also applied for several grants that if successful will bolster our lab equipment to allow for genetic sequencing and greatly enhance our research capabilities.

Strengthening Our Team and Operational Structure

As the TC Reef Fund continues to grow rapidly, we’ve expanded our team, now with 2 full-time and 1 part-time staff member. In 2024, we made significant strides in solidifying our operational structure, updating our bylaws and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure long-term sustainability. While not glamorous, these foundational efforts are crucial to the future of our organization. We’ll also be introducing our entirely volunteer Executive and Advisory Board members in the coming months, who are essential to helping us achieve our goals.

Key Partners and Supporters

A huge thank you to the incredible businesses and organizations who stood with us in 2024: South Bank Resort & Marina, Andaz Turks & Caicos, Wymara, Ocean Club Resorts, Grace Haven Villas, Dive Provo, The Reef Institute, The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment, and many more. Together, we’ve made incredible strides in coral reef protection, and we’re so grateful for your support.

Challenges we’re still facing…

No year is without its hurdles, and 2024 was no exception. Three challenges that particularly stood out:

1. The Need for Global and Political Action on Climate Change

While we’ve made incredible progress in coral care, the greatest threat to coral reefs remains climate change. Ocean warming, acidification, and extreme weather events are devastating coral ecosystems worldwide. At a local level, we’re working hard to mitigate these effects, but we need bold, coordinated global action. TC Reef remains an active member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and we continue to advocate for stronger policies to protect marine ecosystems. We urge you to join us in calling for action from leaders to prioritize the health of our oceans.

2. Local Development and Environmental Impact

The rapid development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly along the coastlines, is a critical issue. While development is important for economic growth, we must ensure that it doesn’t come at the expense of our natural resources.

In 2024 TC Reef applied for Judicial Review against the Department of Planning for wrongful permission granted for a development plan in South Caicos, which was illegal under 3 ordinances. The Court agreed with our case and the permission was quashed. We continue to advocate for sustainable development that protects our environment while supporting economic progress.

We strongly urge our local government to prioritize sustainable development and ensure that any new projects, especially along our coastlines, are adequately assessed for their environmental impact and that those recommendations are enforced. Responsible development can go hand-in-hand with economic progress, but it requires careful planning and a commitment to protecting the ecosystems that make the Turks and Caicos Islands so special. This is a critical challenge that demands collaboration between the government, businesses, and conservation organizations to ensure the future of both our natural environment and our community.

3. The Need for Increased Funding to Scale Our Efforts

As we look ahead to 2025, one of the biggest challenges we face is securing the funding to scale up our coral restoration and community programs. Your donations are crucial in helping us expand our efforts. We need your help to build the infrastructure required to enhance our capacity and increase our impact. In 2025, we plan to launch several new initiatives, and we cannot do it without your support. Together, we can build the future we want to see for our reefs, our communities, and future generations.

Thank you to our community!

Here’s to the fantastic people and moments that made 2024 so special.
We’re excited to carry these memories with us as we move forward into 2025.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2025

Stay connected and help us spread the word! Share this newsletter with friends and family who are passionate about marine conservation. Let’s build an even bigger network of reef advocates in 2025!

We’ll be kicking off the new year with more updates, exciting projects, and ways for you to get involved. Keep an eye out for our next newsletter and follow us on social media @tcreef_fund to stay updated on all things coral reef conservation!