July the 30th, 2025 – The Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation (DIEF) has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the ReefQuest project, aiming to research and protect coral around the island of Iž.
This is the first systematic initiative focused solely on Iž, involving the mapping and documentation of coral health at 20 sites. The findings will be vital for future monitoring and conservation efforts.
The project is being led by KPA Zadar, a diving club with over 50 years of experience in promoting diving, technical skills, and marine protection. Their goal is to bring together scientists and the local community to study how climate and human impact are affecting the marine environment and to safeguard natural heritage.
Corals across the Adriatic face growing threats such as rising sea temperatures, pollution, and the spread of invasive species. Known as the “nursery and shelter” of the ocean, corals are a crucial habitat for many fish and marine invertebrates. If they disappear, entire ecosystems lose resilience and the value of fisheries, tourism, and nature on the Adriatic islands diminishes.
“ReefQuest highlights how people and the sea are deeply connected, forming the basis of local identity and responsibility. We want to preserve what we have for the future. Donations will help support scientific monitoring, youth education, and volunteer expeditions. The money will go toward equipment, fieldwork, and documenting underwater changes,” said Marija Jurica from KPA Zadar.
The ReefQuest project is supported by the University of Zadar, marine ecology experts, and volunteers. It brings together scientists, students, schools, institutions, and locals. DIEF, which tracks donations through Crowdfunder, will match each euro given with another euro from their own funds.
DIEF is part of the Conservation Collective, a global network of locally-focused environmental foundations. Its mission is to protect the natural beauty, biodiversity, and ecosystems of the Dalmatian islands—from Silba to Koločep. The foundation gathers support from individuals and businesses connected to Dalmatia to fund local conservation projects. DIEF also backs programs that benefit communities and can be expanded across the region.
“We chose to support ReefQuest because it connects science, environmental protection, and community involvement—exactly the path to a sustainable future for our islands. Long-term protection of sensitive marine habitats like corals is only possible by joining forces with experts, citizens, and by building shared responsibility for the natural heritage we all depend on,” said Inga Jurin, DIEF’s Executive Director.
In the past two years, DIEF has supported 11 projects, from limiting single-use plastics to better resource management, with total funding of €178,000, over 20 supporters, and 8 grantees.
On Hvar, for example, several public drinking fountains were installed to encourage visitors to refill bottles and show that the island’s tap water is drinkable, helping to reduce plastic waste. The foundation also helped reforest oak woods on Zlarin and supported the Sunce Association’s “Plastic-Free Island” project, which led to restricting single-use plastics in all concession-holder tourism operations in the Telašćica Nature Park.
The future of Adriatic corals, and our marine world, depends on joint action. The ReefQuest project invites everyone to support this effort by August the 14th: visit the Crowdfunder page, donate, and help protect our natural heritage and the sea for generations to come.
