Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) was featured in the WEDU PBS documentary Good Natured, a powerful exploration of “ecological grief” and resilience in the face of environmental crises.
In 2023, The Fourth Global Bleach Event took a toll on more than just the corals along Florida’s Coral Reefs – it was an immensely stressful time for people that work in the coral reef conservation sector.
Following the unprecedented bleaching event during the summer of 2023, many members of the CRF team were left physically and emotionally drained. Efforts to protect surviving corals, such as relocating them to deeper waters or transferring them to land-based facilities, required relentless energy. But beyond the physical demands, witnessing the mass mortality of animals they have dedicated their lives to saving took a profound emotional toll.
This phenomenon, known as “ecological grief,” extends beyond marine scientists to anyone witnessing environmental destruction. Ashley Stokes, a producer at WEDU PBS, has experienced this firsthand, feeling the weight of eco-grief as she sees the devastation caused by hurricanes in the Tampa Bay area and learning about other environmental crises unfolding across Florida.
Rather than sit alone with these thoughts, Stokes was inspired to make her documentary, Good Natured, highlighting different organizations and groups in Florida that are on the frontlines of natural disasters, offering a platform to connect about ecological grief with others who feel the same way.
Bailey Thomasson, the USVI Reef Restoration Coordinator for CRF, was interviewed for Good Natured shortly after the bleaching event. She shared insights on the crisis, the emergency response strategies used to mitigate damage, and the emotional weight of working through such an unprecedented event.
“The opportunity to share the challenges facing coral reefs and CRF’s resulting work is always special. This interview was different than most, it was a chance to share not only the facts and details of the summer of 2023, but also convey how it is affecting the people that are working on the front lines of this ecological disaster,” said Thomasson.
On February 19th, Good Natured premiered at the historic Tampa Theatre, just days before airing on WEDU PBS. Members of the Coral Restoration Foundation team traveled to Tampa to support the premiere and celebrate the documentary.
Good Natured can be streamed here: https://www.wedu.org/shows/good-natured/
Written by: Bailey Thomasson, USVI Reef Restoration Coordinator
