by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:12 PM ET, Fri April 13, 2018
Home to more than 100 species of life, the Lagoon Sanctuary at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is far more than just a spectacular snorkeling opportunity.
It's also a research facility, a place where numerous new initiatives are taking place to enhance coral growth.
Among the noteworthy efforts recently announced by the luxe and remote resort are coral grafting adoption and a "donut" installation program designed to help coral mature.
Led by marine biologist Denis Schneider, who has spent years working in Bora Bora and holds advanced degrees in marine biology and also oceanography, the programs take place in the resort's Ruahatu (God of the Ocean) Lagoon Sanctuary, a place that showcases everything from octopus to lizardfish and unicorn fish.
The coral grafting adoption is an activity all guests are able to participate in and includes an educational overview as well as an interactive cutting of a coral nubbin, which guests are then able to place onto a dedicated (and GPS-tracked) location on an underwater structure.
The structure, a Four Seasons tree, will disperse millions of microscopic larvae, which eventually grow into a new colony of corals, helping to repopulate the surrounding reefs.
As for the "donut" program, that involves guests attaching a coral to donut-shaped structures in the lagoon sanctuary, where they will attach to each other and mature. Once they've reached maturity, the "donuts" are placed around the Bora Bora resort's lagoons and between its overwater bungalow suites, thus increasing the distribution of marine life. What's more, GPS-tracking allows guests to know where their coral structure is located.
"Our commitment to the environment is incredibly important to us," Maria Jagla, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, said in a statement. "We are so fortunate to live and work in one of the world's most wondrous locations, and we are intent on doing our part in keeping it beautiful, thriving and magical for many years to come."
The Four Seasons property is also in the midst of developing an educational pearl farm. The upcoming interactive exhibit will allow guests to learn and see how a pearl farm functions. Schneider will guide guests through the entire process, from structure to harvesting.
The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, has been named the #1 Epic Stay Hotel in the World by AFAR.
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