Data Sheet 1_The Coral Nurture Program: a science–practitioner partnership for stewardship-based reef restoration.csv

Despite deep motivation, both practical challenges and scientific unknowns often constrain progress, reducing effectiveness of ecological, social and/or economic outcomes of restoration activities.

The Coral Nurture Program (CNP), a partnership between researchers, tourism operators, and Traditional Owners established on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in 2018, offers lessons and practical strategies for stewardship-based coral reef restoration at economically, culturally, and ecologically important reef locations. Under a framework spanning science, reef steward operational expertise, and Indigenous knowledge, CNP implemented a phased approach combining coral propagation and planting, monitoring, restoration science, financing pathways, workforce development, and community engagement.