Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation has provided £495 of match funding
ReefQuest: Pillow Coral Exploration in Dalmatia
Zadar, , Croatia
Aim: The project explores coral health on the island of Iž, uniting science and community to study climate and human impact.
Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation (DIEF) is delighted to match public donations for the ReefQuest project, exploring coral health on the island of Iž, with £5,000 in support, doubling the impact of every contribution.
Imagine an underwater world thriving just beneath the surface—silent, complex, and almost invisible to the everyday observer. At its heart lies Cladocora caespitosa, a unique Mediterranean coral, a quiet architect of marine reefs and a witness to the changes unfolding in the sea for centuries. Sadly, it is now among the most endangered species in our aquatic ecosystems.
The project ReefQuest – Cladocora caespitosa Exploration (Phase 2) will build on last year’s research, which identified the exceptional ecological value of coral communities near the island of Iž, specifically at Cape Parda. This year, we aim to dive even deeper into science, conservation, and community connection.
Through the collaboration of divers, scientists, students, volunteers, and ocean enthusiasts, the project will encompass various activities related to monitoring the condition of coral colonies and environmental changes. At its core is the ambition to better understand how this sensitive species responds to the pressures of climate change, pollution, and increasing human activities in coastal areas.
Our approach will be interdisciplinary and flexible, combining available equipment and knowledge to gather valuable data that can support long-term conservation efforts. Equally notable to scientific research is sharing the story—because we want everyone who loves the sea to understand its complexity and feel a sense of responsibility for its future.
Who Is Behind the Project?
The project is led by the KPA Zadar Diving Club, which has been promoting diving, technical culture, and marine protection for over 50 years. Over the decades, the club has developed a strong network of collaborations with institutions, schools, and nature parks, as well as multiple generations of both young and experienced divers. In this project, we are working closely with the scientific community as well as with the residents and visitors of the island of Iž - because only together can we truly protect what matters.
Do We Already Have Support?
Yes - this project is already supported by the University of Zadar, individual experts in marine ecology and biology, and a dedicated network of volunteers and members of the KPA Zadar Diving Club, which is leading the initiative. In 2024, the project’s first phase was successfully completed with the help of a foundation and local partners. Now, we are ready to take the next step - and we want you to be a part of it.
Why Donate?
Because your contribution supports more than just science. You are helping create a shared platform for education, awareness, and conservation. ReefQuest aims to bring people together - divers, scientists, children, elders, locals, and visitors - in dialogue with the sea.
By donating, you will help ensure that valuable activities such as environmental monitoring, youth education, and volunteer expeditions remain sustainable, high-quality, and open to all. Even small contributions will help cover the costs of basic equipment, field logistics, and documenting the changes occurring beneath the surface.
And Finally - What Drives Us?
The sea is not just a backdrop to our lives - it is the core of our identity, a source of food, beauty, and inspiration. It calms us, but also warns us. ReefQuest is not just a coral project - it is a project about people and their relationship with the sea, and about the responsibility to understand it before we lose it.
Together, we can dive deeper. Thank you for believing in this story.
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This project is hosted by Conservation Collective and funds collected from this campaign are for project ReefQuest. We are proud to host this project as it is supported by our network member Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation. By contributing to this campaign, you are making a donation to the Conservation Collective, a charity registered in England & Wales as a charitable incorporated organisation 1185925. While it is our full intention to direct the funds raised through this campaign to the above detailed project, there may be circumstances beyond our control (such as local regulatory changes, project feasibility, or unforeseen environmental factors) that could prevent this. In such cases, your donation will still be used to support environmental conservation — directed instead to similar projects within our network that align with the goals of this campaign and are run by trusted local partners.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 15th August 2025 at 10:10am