Coral reefs are the very essence of life. They are among the most valuable and precious natural resources of our small world, and many people can't resist feeling an incredible drive to protect them.

While coral covers only 0.2% of the world's surface, it supports 25% of the world's marine life, as well as countless human beings. Like rainforests, coral reefs act as the lungs of the planet, purifying the air that we breathe by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. Coral reefs are animals, not plants. They also hold the key to innumerous new medicines, vaccines and other solutions to human problems.

Coral are not only the most beautiful of the ocean's ecosystems, they also contain the greatest number of species, and have more density of life than any other ocean habitat. Coral reefs protect shorelines from waves, as well as providing over $30 billion a year of fishing and tourism revenue to the economies that depend on them.

Mary Hagedorn and Ginnie Carter collect coral specimens for preservation.

Healthy coral reefs are the world's birthright. They are one of our greatest resources, and greatest responsibilities.