The project follows children as they learn to restore coral reefs under the guidance of a self-taught, self-appointed coral guardian. Blending art and documentary, the series reveals how conservation, education, and culture converge in the search for solutions to urgent environmental challenges.

Restoring Coral in Aitutaki

Aitutaki’s lagoon is a highly diverse marine environment, but warming seas and bleaching events have severely impacted local reefs. With no institutional support, a self-taught coral gardener began salvaging coral fragments, experimenting with ropes, nails, and natural techniques to keep fragile species alive.

Children as Caretakers of the Ocean

Over time, schoolchildren led by their teacher joined him. Many had to learn to swim before they could even begin. Today, they help collect fragments, tie them to ropes, and tend the reef as part of their environmental education. Their work is not only ecological but also cultural, reviving ancestral connections to the sea while shaping a new generation of caretakers.