About Us
Rotary Reef
About The Rotary Reef Project
From One Small Idea to One of our Most Impactful Projects
The Rotary Reef project started as a single, modest initiative, a Rotary club project to help restore coral reefs in the stunning archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama. What nobody anticipated : was how quickly that one act of service would grow into something far larger: a living proof of concept that Rotary’s values, when applied with intention, can transform entire communities.
The Rotary Reef project was created by the Rotary Club of Newport Beach, California, in partnership with Ayuda International, a nonprofit organization with a long history of providing medical and educational assistance to underserved communities. Ayuda International manages our dental and oral hygiene initiatives, bringing professional healthcare directly to families on remote islands who would otherwise go without.
Led by Rotarian Steve Bender, the reef restoration effort became the cornerstone of what is now known as The Panama Project, widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and successful projects to date. The Panama Project is a model proving that integrated, community-driven action can simultaneously deliver environmental restoration, sustainable development, and cultural preservation.
A Project That Checks Every Box
The Panama Project, is uniquely positioned to meet the world’s most important humanitarian, environmental, and peace-building frameworks,all at once. This is what makes it truly exceptional:
Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus
The Panama Project, home of Rotary Reefs, actively advances all seven of Rotary’s Areas of Focus through its work in Bocas del Toro:
- Promoting Peace, cross-cultural collaboration among Panamanian, expat, Indigenous Ngäbe, Afro-Caribbean, and Hispanic communities
- Fighting Disease, dental clinics, fluoride treatments, and mobile health outreach managed by our nonprofit partner Ayuda International for remote island communities
- Providing Clean Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, clean water systems and community sanitation projects
- Saving Mothers and Children, health services for families on islands accessible only by boat
- Supporting Education, youth leadership programs, environmental education, and volunteer tourism opportunities
- Growing Local Economies, sustainable livelihoods through reef stewardship, ecotourism, and community enterprise
- Supporting the Environment, coral reef restoration, mangrove reforestation, plastic recovery, and turtle protection
The 8 Pillars of Positive Peace
The Institute for Economics and Peace identifies eight pillars that create and sustain peaceful, resilient societies. The Panama Project address everyone: well-functioning government, equitable distribution of resources, free flow of information, good relations with neighbors, high levels of human capital, acceptance of the rights of others, low levels of corruption, and a sound business environment.
These aren’t just checkboxes, they describe the actual, observable changes happening in the communities where we work.
All 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
From No Poverty (SDG 1) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2) to Life Below Water (SDG 14), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), The Panama Project’s integrated model touches every one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This makes it one of the few Rotary projects in the world that can legitimately claim alignment with the full scope of the global development agenda.
What Is Rotary Reefs?
Rotary Reefs is the coral and marine restoration initiative at the heart of The Panama Project. Working with local scientists, community members, and partner organizations, we build reef structures, cultivate specially grown corals, and establish responsibly managed protected marine zones.
The results are already visible. Marine life is returning to areas that were previously bleached and degraded. A resident nurse shark now calls our reef home. And the communities surrounding the reefs are gaining sustainable livelihoods tied to their health.
“One component, Rotary Reefs, has already shown success in restoring coral to areas previously affected by bleaching and degradation. Committed community members are building reef structures, advancing the cultivation of specially grown corals, and responsibly managing protected marine zones on Isla Solarte.”
— Beverly Schuberth, Rotary Club of Ojai West
“Seeing these thriving coral colonies firsthand made it clear that coral restoration is not only possible—it’s urgently needed. Spotting a large nurse shark near the reef was an unforgettable moment.”
— Donna Jones, President, Rotary Club of Ojai West
Good for the Ocean. Great for the Community
Donating to Ayuda International (501C3) organization, isn’t just an investment in ocean healthit’s an investment in the people who live beside it. Every reef structure we deploy creates habitat for marine life, supports local fisheries, attracts ecotourism, and helps train community members as reef stewards and environmental educators.
Sponsoring a reef supports the sustainability of the entire 4-7-8-17 inspired project, funding vital community programs including:
- Coral and mangrove restoration
- Turtle protection and marine zone management
- Solar innovation and clean energy pilots
- Education programs for local families and youth
- Healthcare outreach — including dental clinics for children on remote islands
- Local business and community development
When you sponsor a Rotary Reef, your contribution ripples outward — from the seafloor to the schoolroom, from the coastline to the community clinic.
The 4-7-8-17 Global Success Program
Rotary Reefs and The Panama Project are the living showcase of the 4-7-8-17 Global Success Program — a Rotary-inspired framework developed to help clubs design, rate, and grow high-impact projects grounded in truth, fairness, peace, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The framework asks: how many boxes does your project check? Rotary Reefs checks them all. It is the first full “4-7-8-17 living laboratory” — proof that one integrated model can simultaneously deliver environmental, educational, health, and economic benefits for coastal communities around the world.
“What I didn’t realize was that Rotary Reefs is part of a much broader effort—the Panama Project—which incorporates all seven areas of Rotary focus. That was truly inspiring.”
— Donna Jones, President, Rotary Club of Ojai West
Get Involved
Whether you’re a Rotary club looking for an international project, an individual donor who cares about ocean health, or an organization seeking a partner with global impact frameworks, there’s a place for you in this work.
Sponsor a Reef
Fund coral restoration and community programs with a named reef donation.
Visit & Volunteer
Join a mission trip to Bocas del Toro and experience the impact firsthand.
Partner Your Club
Apply the 4-7-8-17 framework and connect with a global network of impact-driven clubs.