Reef Friendly Landscaping Certification Program

Maui’s reefs are vital for the island, but non-organic land management practices can have negative impacts on these environments. Research shows that synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers quickly make their way from land to ocean. These chemicals can accumulate in fish and inhibit reproduction in both fish and corals, as well as cause growth defects in one of Maui’s most charismatic creatures, sea turtles.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council has been researching these chemicals’ effects on coral reef ecosystems and human health. We are working with resorts in south Maui to make the switch to organic alternatives, and we encourage homeowners and our community to join us. Going organic helps create healthy, thriving, and biodiverse soil communities which make for happy plants and lawns, leading to low-maintenance care and cost savings in the future.

We’re here to provide Reef Friendly Landscaping Certifications by working with you to use ocean-safe landscaping through free, confidential, private consultations with our experts.

The Issue

It is important to address and prevent land-based sources of pollution on coral reefs, as corals are already under stress from increasing ocean temperatures and ocean acidification due to climate change. Pesticides and fungicides such as Malathion, Permethrin, Profenofos, Chlorpyrifos, and Imidacloprid can cause endocrine disruption, reproductive effects, neurotoxicity, kidney/liver damage, birth/developmental effects, a reduction in coral settlement and metamorphosis, coral bleaching, compromises in behavior, feminization of organisms, oxidative stress, an increase in risk of disease in fish, paralysis of the central nervous system of organisms, and can make fish more vulnerable to predation.