SHS students participate in coral restoration programs in the Dominican Republic

By Reader Staff

Since 2019, retired environmental science teacher John Hastings has been traveling with student groups from the Sandpoint area to work on coral restoration projects in the Caribbean. 

The idea originated during an Advanced Placement environmental science class at Sandpoint High School. Students had been studying the impacts of climate change, specifically on coral reefs, and were deeply moved and wanted a hands-on opportunity to help. 

Hastings then organized a trip to the Caribbean to work with small NGOs that needed help restoring the fragile underwater ecosystems. 

To date, Hastings has spearheaded three trips to the Dominican Republic and one to Belize, making a difference for the reefs, the people in the local communities and participating students.

The Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society will feature a presentation by Hastings on his work in the Caribbean on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the East Bonner County Library (1407 Cedar St.,in Sandpoint). 

Attendees are invited to socialize beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the program at 10 a.m.

Hastings also taught horticulture for the University of Idaho, and today he and his wife are the owners of All Seasons Garden and Floral. Hastings is also an advanced certified diver and a member of the boards of directors of KNPS, the Idaho Conservation League and Panhandle Trout Unlimited. In 2015, he was named Idaho Environmental Educator of the Year.

Hastings’ love of diving and environmental science background feeds his interest in coral reefs, which are under great threat of extinction from stresses including climate change, pollution and overfishing. 

While most of the world’s hard corals have seen declines from 30-40%, some sections of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have declined by 70%. Ninety percent of the heat generated by rising emissions has been absorbed by the oceans, causing the greatest impact. Initially, reef restoration projects focused on cultivating corals in their natural environment. Newer efforts seek to selectively breed corals better able to withstand rising sea temperatures, a process known as assisted evolution. 

Hastings will provide details on the restoration work being done to ensure the survival of coral reefs at the Oct. 18 presentation, while highlighting the contributions of SHS students. 

KNPS programs are open to the public and co-sponsored by Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, with support from the East Bonner Library District. For more info, go to nativeplantsociety.org,  sandpointidaho.gov/parks-and-recreation or ebonnerlibrary.org.