In the vast blue world shaped by waves, every coral is a treasure, and every reef is a cradle of life. Today, with the growing impact of climate change and human activities, coral reefs are disappearing at a visible pace. Protecting these ecological cornerstones of the ocean has become an urgent mission. Embracing this purpose, volunteers from the UK division of ICSO (International Charity Service Organization) have passionately joined the “Heart of Azure” Coral Conservation Project. Through arduous diving, coral planting, and scientific research, they have fought for the rebirth of endangered reefs and raised awareness about marine environmental protection.
ICSO Outstanding Volunteer
Profile
Name: Zhang Wan’er
School: Oxford International High School
Department: ICSO·UK Division
Before coming to the UK for high school, Zhang Wan’er had a remarkable travel experience — her first visit to Sipadan Island in Malaysia. The island was breathtakingly beautiful, with warm and crystal-clear waters. It was there that she tried scuba diving for the first time. Guided by an instructor, she dove into the deep sea and encountered a coral reef area. What she saw shocked her — corals that were once vibrantly colored had turned pale and lifeless. A large-scale coral bleaching phenomenon had occurred. Some corals were already dead, covered with a decaying biofilm, and surrounded by floating garbage and plastic bottles. At that moment, she deeply felt the severe challenges facing marine ecosystems. The once-colorful coral now appeared yellow and brittle, silently revealing the suffering of the ocean. It wasn’t just a loss of natural scenery, but the disappearance of countless marine species’ habitats. This experience planted the seed in her heart to take part in conservation action.
After transferring to a school in the UK, Zhang Wan’er continued to improve her diving skills and shared her personal experience of witnessing coral bleaching in Malaysia on social media. Her post included striking photos and thoughtful reflections on the state of the marine environment. Coincidentally, her post was seen by a volunteer from the ICSO UK division, who reached out to her and exchanged ideas on marine conservation. Through these conversations, Zhang developed a strong interest in the ICSO UK’s “Heart of Azure” Coral Protection Project. This project not only aims to protect coral reefs but also encourages public participation in diving and coral planting to raise marine environmental awareness. She was deeply moved by this proactive philosophy and decided to get involved. Without hesitation, Zhang applied to join. A few days later, she received a confirmation email and officially became a team member.
After joining the “Heart of Azure” project, Zhang’s first task was to help with coral planting. This involved diving underwater to attach carefully cultivated coral seedlings onto submerged coral frames. While the task may sound simple, it is full of challenges. The instability of the underwater environment, the fragility of the coral seedlings, and the powerful currents all made the work difficult. Each coral seedling had to be delicately fastened to ensure it would not be damaged or washed away. To better perform the task, Zhang trained repeatedly in neutral buoyancy techniques, aiming to remain steady underwater and complete the planting efficiently. Once, when ocean currents suddenly intensified, the task became even tougher. Zhang gripped the coral frame tightly with one hand while skillfully using the other to secure the seedling. Despite the numbing cold of the water and the forceful current, she stayed calm and precise. Every tiny effort meant a renewed hope for coral reef regeneration.
After the planting tasks, Zhang joined the coral reef health survey efforts, working with the team to conduct detailed investigations of 40 coral reef sites around the British coast. During dives, she carefully observed the corals’ color, structure, surface attachments, and the surrounding ecology. Some corals showed clear signs of bleaching, often the result of climate change, excessive tourism, and human interference.
These observations were recorded through photos and videos and submitted promptly to the relevant departments to support ongoing research and conservation. The underwater work was demanding, but Zhang never wavered. Every dive and every data entry was a concrete action in marine protection. Through this process, she not only improved her diving abilities but also came to truly understand the fragility and value of marine ecosystems. She resolved to pass on this sense of responsibility to others, inspiring more people to recognize the urgency of ocean conservation and to take collective action.
To further raise public awareness about marine conservation, Zhang and her team created a series of informational brochures and videos on coral protection. Using vivid imagery and clear data, they educated the public on the importance of coral reefs and the threats they face — especially emphasizing the dangers posed by plastic waste and discarded fishing nets. They launched a social media campaign titled “Plastic-Free for Coral,” in which Zhang appealed: “The disappearance of coral reefs is not only an ecological loss but also the loss of countless marine creatures’ homes.” The campaign gained wide attention and support across UK social media platforms.
In this battle for marine conservation, Zhang Wan’er protects every coral with her heart and actions, embodying the sense of responsibility and commitment of the younger generation. Her efforts have brought more attention to the future of our oceans and injected fresh energy into marine protection. Through her involvement in a wide range of conservation initiatives, Zhang has accumulated over 320.4 hours of volunteer service, becoming a three-star ICSO volunteer and earning a public service honor certificate. These experiences have shown her the true meaning of charity and become invaluable on her journey of personal growth. She firmly believes that protecting the ocean is not a solitary mission — it is a cause that requires the collective effort of all humankind.
