Helping to preserve and protect the TCI marine environment
Our Projects
We are looking for proposals for projects that will help educate, protect and monitor the health of the reefs and their inhabitants around the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you have an idea for a project, please submit a proposal in writing to us at info@tcreef.org.
Coral Gardens Snorkel Trail Restoration - Completed 18 Dec 2011
The job is done. With the help of over a dozen volunteers, all the snorkel trail markers on the White House (Coral Gardens) Reef Snorkel Trail were removed, brought to shore, cleaned of years of accumulated calcium carbonate and other deposits and then reinstalled. Two divers were kept busy nearly all day, removing and replacing the snorkel trail markers. A large team of volunteers spent hours with their hands immersed in vinegar, scraping and scrubbing the glazed ceramic tiles that mount to reef balls to form the snorkel trail markers. But everyone had a great time, and the snorkel trail markers all look brand new. Thanks to everyone who helped and to everyone who stopped by while we were working on the beach to learn more about the TCRF and, in many cases, to donate to our cause. Thanks also to Somewhere Cafe and Lounge who not only provided logistical support for the cleaning effort, but hosted a beach BBQ and music to keep us and our volunteers entertained. Finally, thanks to Provo Turtle Divers for supplying the scuba tanks we needed to complete the work. The video and photos below highlight how the work was done and the results.
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Blue Flag Beach Program
The Blue Flag Programme Logo and website link
The TCRF is the National Operator for the Blue Flag Programme in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-lablel awarded to approximately 3650 beaches and marinas in 46 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and other services.The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the non-governmental, non-profit organization, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) of which the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is an Associate Member. All three Blue Flag beaches in the Turks and Caicos were again re-certified for the 2011/2012 season and the Turks and Caicos Islands have the honor of having the only Cruise Center beach in the world that can fly the Blue Flag.
The Blue Flag flying over the Bight Children's Park Beach on Providenciales
Dive Boat Mooring Project
The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund has received an anonymous donation specifically earmarked for the installation and maintenance of dive site moorings throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands. We are currently consulting with the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources (DECR) which is the local governmental agency responsible for maintaining the marine protected areas in the TCI as well as all other environmental issues, to outline a plan to implement a program of new mooring installations. At the present time, we are assisting local dive operators with the maintenance and replacement of the existing moorings in Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
