To
pioneer a global, collaborative coral reef stewardship program
To
create the first comprehensive baseline map of the world's living
reefs
To create the first space-based
real-time coral reef monitoring system
To serve as an unbiased, "trusted
source" of coral reef data and information to users around the
world
Basic Science
To advance fundamental new remote
sensing and coral reef science
Flight Hardware
To design and develop the
engineering systems to construct and operate the first space-based
sensor to map and monitor the world's coral reefs
Data Analysis
To develop and validate rigorous
radiative transfer algorithms that can make use of sensor data in
physical units
To create amap and library
of imagesof the world's coral reefs from space
Ground Truthing & Research
Vessel, SV Infinity
To take measurements of spectral
radiation components in the atmosphere and in the water column to
validate the radiative transfer retrieval algorithms
To operate the only long-term
offshore coral reef research vessel dedicated to training students
of all countries about the following: the ecology of coral reefs,
underwater coral reef research methods, ground-truthing coral reef
satellite imagery, and coral reef conservation and management
Educational Outreach Program
To create an interactive coral
reef Internet site hosting scientific, educational, visual,
accurate, up-to-date, and real-time information on the state of
the world's coral reefs
To pioneer an Earth stewardship
program whereby people around the world will have the opportunity
to receive as well as contribute information to the global coral
reef database, thereby creating an ever-expanding worldwide flow
and grid of information
Policy and Conservation
To set
priorities, monitor conservation effectiveness, and affect policy
advocacy locally, nationally, regionally, and internationally
To build a global coalition and
create a planetary partnership for coral reef conservation
