The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef are vital symbols of what’s at risk and what can still be saved.
We must lead bold, coordinated campaigns for all Australian reefs. Help demand government action that protects these globally iconic coral reefs, before it’s too late
The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef are not only global treasures, they are living symbols of hope in a rapidly heating world.
In 2025, both reefs experienced severe bleaching as marine heatwaves intensified across Australia’s coastline. For the Great Barrier Reef, this marked the sixth mass bleaching event since 2016. The trajectory is clear: climate change is outpacing existing protections.
This is a decisive decade and Australia’s reefs are sending urgent warning that we need to take action now to protect our marine life for future generations.
If we are to hold the line as close as possible to 1.5°C, we must prevent new fossil fuel developments, including seismic blasting in marine habitats used for offshore oil and gas exploration, and accelerate a just transition to renewable energy. One that respects Sea Country, marine biodiversity, and coastal communities.
Cutting emissions is critical to protecting our reefs. But some impacts are already locked in. Even under strong climate action, reefs will face increasing stress. The question is whether we allow continued decline or act now to support their recovery.
In 2026, we are seeking visionary philanthropic partners to help build coral reef immunity and long-term resilience.
Your leadership investment will enable us to:
- Strengthen reef resilience against bleaching, cyclones and extreme flood events.
- Transition climate-incompatible activities out of marine parks, ensuring protected areas provide genuine protection.
- Reform fisheries management and increase transparency to support coral recovery.
- Deliver targeted catchment repair and water quality improvements, reducing polluted flood plumes that compound heat stress.
- Advance coral restoration science at Ningaloo and establish a Reef Emergency Response Plan to act swiftly after bleaching events.
- Accelerate climate action essential for reef survival, linking national emissions reduction with marine protection.
- Support First Nations leadership in Sea Country governance, compliance, and stewardship, recognising that enduring protection depends on Indigenous custodianship.
Reef custodians tell us plainly: “Country is sick.” Their leadership is central to healing it.
This is about more than conservation. It is about safeguarding one of Earth’s most extraordinary living systems and demonstrating that decisive action, backed by strategic philanthropy, can. stack the odds in favour of recovery.
With your partnership, we can strengthen coral health, accelerate recovery and protect these irreplaceable ecosystems for generations to come.
Explore how you can help enable this important work below.
All donations over $2 are 100% tax-deductible. The projects featured in the Funding Prospectus are priority campaign activities and needs for which we are urgently seeking funds – current at the time of posting or going to press. As time progresses, there may be some cases in which the project you have selected may already be fully funded. In that instance, we would be delighted to discuss where the need is greatest at the given time. All of our campaigns work in symbiotic support of our mission to protect our oceans. Please be assured your gift will go to work to be the voice for Australia’s oceans, working on the big issues that risk our ocean wildlife.
