named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Coral Reef Restoration
Program focused on restoring degraded coral reef ecosystems through scientific research, reef monitoring, and community-based interventions to combat climate change and ocean acidification.
Horizons Project
Education and restoration pilot program at Black Point Park and Marina in Miami, Florida, integrating marine science curriculum with hands-on conservation activities for K-12 students.
Mission 31
31-day underwater science expedition at Aquarius Reef Base that advanced marine research, reached 100,000 students via virtual classrooms, and inspired the creation of FCOLC.
Sea Turtle Conservation and Women Empowerment Program
Community-led sea turtle conservation initiative in Nicaragua that trains and empowers local women and youth in nest protection, hatchling release, and citizen science, while addressing gender inequality.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Ocean Ecosystem Restoration & Research 2 activities
- Marine conservation and restoration projectsConducts coral reef protection and restoration, including transplanting 15,000 corals in Florida, the Caribbean, and the Maldives using 3D-printed organic structures as nursery bases. Also restored over 35,000 mangroves to date.
- Sea turtle conservation and empowerment programsProtects sea turtle populations by funding the purchase of eggs, saving over 750,000 eggs from the illegal market, and releasing over 680,000 hatchlings in El Salvador and over 55,000 in Nicaragua. Empowers local women through employment and community engagement in nesting programs.
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Beach and Waterway Cleanup Initiatives 1 activity
- Beach and marine debris cleanupsOrganizes volunteer-driven beach cleanups, including International Coastal Clean-Up Days in Long Beach, NY, with activities focused on debris collection, data recording, and community engagement through art and education.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Development of marine education and restoration curriculaDevelops and pilots educational initiatives such as the Horizons Project in partnership with Dr. Pamela Fletcher and the Pennekamp Partnership, integrating restoration ecology into STEAM curricula for use in schools and community programs.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding conservation and education initiativesSupports on-the-ground conservation, research, and education programs in the U.S., Nicaragua, and Curaçao through donor-funded operations, including financing sea turtle egg protection, educational pack development, and marine cleanup logistics.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Youth and community education programsProvides K–12 STEAM-aligned educational programming, including Ocean Discovery packs and virtual sessions, reaching over 100,000 students during Mission 31. Programs aim to inspire ocean stewardship and develop future marine scientists and innovators.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Ocean research expeditions and scientific collaborationConducted Mission 31, a 31-day underwater expedition yielding the equivalent of three years of ocean research, producing 12 scientific studies and 9,800 articles in collaboration with universities including MIT and Northeastern.
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financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$231K
Contributions & grants$228K99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$416K
Program expenses56%
Admin / overhead42%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$107K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$827K
Cash$77K
Investments$750K
Liabilities$207K
Net assets$619K
Liquid reserves23.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -4.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FABIEN COUSTEAU | PRESIDENT/FOUNDER | 20 | $92K |
board members · 3
- JOY CHAILLOU — CHAIR GOVERNANCE
- JUSTIN MUIR — CHAIR PROGRAMMING
- RACHEL TRUAIR — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- All Our Energy Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- American Littoral Society Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- Aquarius Government — Uses the Aquarius underwater habitat as a base for research and educational programming, referencing its role in Mission 31.
- CoastLove Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- Coastlove Partner — Partner organization supporting FCOLC programs.
- Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Partner — Partner organization supporting FCOLC programs.
- MIT Partner — Collaborated on scientific studies and publications during Mission 31.
- Marine Foundation Partner — Partnership to combine marine science and art for coral reef restoration in Curaçao, including the development of underwater sculpture installations using 3D-printed tiles.
- Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) Government — Co-manages the Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve with FCOLC and local community members in Nicaragua.
- National Autonomous University of Nicaragua at León Partner — Partnered with FCOLC to conduct sea turtle research, provide hands-on training for students, and co-manage conservation and education programs in Nicaragua.
- Northeastern University Partner — Collaborated on scientific studies and publications during Mission 31.
- Ocean Conservancy Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- Operation Splash Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- Pennekamp Partnership Partner — Collaborative partnership formed to develop marine restoration and educational activities in Key Largo.
- Proteus Ocean Group Partner — Collaborates with FCOLC on the high-resolution mapping of Curacao's Marine Protected Area.
- Skudin Surf Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- Stewards of the Sea Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- Surfrider Foundation Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Earth Sciences Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- University of North Florida Partner — Collaborated on scientific studies and publications during Mission 31.
- VIVAZUL Partner — Collaborated with FCOLC in El Salvador to establish hatcheries, rescue eggs from poachers, and develop alternative income sources for local communities.
- WeLoveU Partner — Collaborates on conservation initiatives including beach cleanups.
- WeLoveU Foundation Partner — Partner organization supporting FCOLC programs.
- indigenous community Partner — Collaborates with FCOLC on sea turtle conservation efforts in Nicaragua, including nesting beach monitoring and community outreach.
- partners Partner — Collaborates with partners to develop educational initiatives, conservation efforts, and marine research projects.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Bio-Mimetic Restoration Designmethodology: bio-mimetic substrate designBy using 3D-printed reef structures that mimic natural substrates, the organization enhances coral and symbiotic organism settlement and maturation because biomimicry in material and form increases biological affinity and survival rates.
- Education-Integrated Conservation Field Actionmethodology: environmental-education-through-serviceBy combining hands-on conservation activities—such as debris removal, mangrove restoration, and sea turtle protection—with structured education, the organization produces community stewardship because integrating service with learning turns participants into long-term ocean advocates.
- Experiential Education Cycle: SEE. LEARN. DO.methodology: see_learn_doBy engaging individuals in a cycle of awareness (SEE), education (LEARN), and action (DO), the organization produces lasting conservation behavior change because lived and educational experiences create personal connection and motivation to act.
- Women and Youth Empowerment as Conservation Leveragemethodology: female-led-conservationBy transferring leadership in sea turtle conservation and habitat management to women and youth, the organization produces sustainable, community-owned conservation because gender equity and youth engagement strengthen local buy-in, reduce poaching, and create intergenerational models.
- Youth Ambassador Model for Intergenerational Stewardshipmethodology: youth ambassador modelBy mentoring youth as ocean ambassadors through education and real-world engagement, the organization produces long-term conservation advocacy because empowered young leaders internalize stewardship and propagate it through their communities.