Researchers crossing the lagoon on their way to fieldwork on Tetiaroa
Pillar 01 · Research + Conservation

How does an atoll recover?

We study the whole system, remove what strains it, and then come back to see what changed.

Begin the scan
01

One atoll, one connected system.

Everything is connected here, so every conservation decision begins with evidence—from the reef and lagoon to birds, turtles, and motu.

We observe, act, measure, and adapt, because each result should shape what happens next.

Living Atoll Scan

Follow the work from motu to reef.

Tetiaroa Atoll Restoration Program rat eradication fieldwork
TARP · removing invasive pressure across the motu

Motu / remove pressure

land · habitat · biosecurity

01

Remove invasive pressure

TARP removes rats and yellow crazy ants, and then strengthens biosecurity so native life has room to recover.

  • Rat eradication and follow-up
  • Yellow crazy ant treatment
  • Biosecurity and habitat recovery
Green turtle sanctuary · lagoon monitoring

Lagoon / read response

waterline · nursery · nesting

02

Watch the response

The team tracks seabirds, turtle nests, vegetation, crabs, reefs, fresh water, and coastline change, because recovery leaves many small signals.

  • Species and habitat monitoring
  • Land-to-sea nutrient research
  • Long-term ecological baselines
Seabird restoration work on Tetiaroa
ATTRACT · helping seabirds return

Reef / test what comes next

outer edge · adaptation · data

03

Test what comes next

ATTRACT, Cool Reef, eDNA, Biocode, and the digital model each test a different way to read and restore the atoll.

  • Coral climate adaptation
  • Seabird recolonization
  • Digital and genetic tools

Recovery rarely announces itself.

Maybe it is a new nest, a native plant still standing, or a healthier reef—and so we keep watching.

Keep exploring

Explore the other two pillars.

Back the work

Keep the work moving.

Your gift keeps field teams equipped, lessons running, and long-term monitoring in motion.