Reefs are essential to the island, but conventional land care can harm them. Synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers quickly flow from land to ocean, impacting fish reproduction, coral health, and even causing defects in sea turtles. You’ll learn reef friendly practices that help protect Hawaii’s coral reefs and marine life.

Jill Wirt is Program Director at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. She manages the Reef Friendly Landscaping program, helping to promote organic land care practices that protect nearshore ecosystems. Jill also leads the Council’s coral restoration efforts, coordinating coral outplanting and monitoring to support reef resilience. In 2024, she organized a large-scale community planting at Kahoma Village to restore coastal vegetation and reduce sediment runoff.