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Rotary Club: Solana Beach Project Title: Rotary Reef 1. Describe the project. What was done, when and where did project activities take place? The Rotary Reef Program in Panama, projects ongoing. Members of our club were meant to visit onsite in Panama in February 2026 but that has been delayed until August 2026. Together with local organizations, divers, scientists, and local fishermen, the team built artificial reef structures in the shape of Rotary Wheels, created a coral seed‐bank, and developed a lionfish initiative - training fishermen to harvest the invasive species for restaurants, generating income while protecting native species. What began as isolated efforts to meet immediate needs has now evolved into The Panama Project - the flagship of the 7Seas Initiative and a recognized model for integrated, community‐driven sustainability. Described as a "living laboratory" in Bocas del Toro, The Panama Project weaves together environmental restoration, cultural preservation, health services, and social empowerment under one cohesive framework: the 4‐7‐8‐17 Model - blending Rotary's Four‐Way Test, Seven Areas of Focus, Eight Pillars of Positive Peace, and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2. How many people benefited from this project? Thousands of local residents directly benefit from these efforts 3. Who were the beneficiaries, how were they impacted by this project, and what humanitarian need was met? The people of Panama and specifically the areas around Bocas Del Toro are the primary beneficiaries. 4. How many Rotarians participated in the project? 8+ 5. What did they do? Please give at least two examples, not including financial support provided to the project. None of this would be possible without the extraordinary generosity and partnership of the Rotarian owners and staff of Tropical Arts on Isla Careneros. Their support-ranging from complimentary boat and equipment storage to the use of their remarkable over-the-water facilities and lodging, to countless favors and acts of kindness-has been invaluable to our work. Their commitment has elevated every aspect of our missions The Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club was able to spread the word about the Reef project and obtain participation from 3 other local clubs to contribute to this particular grant project. 6. If a cooperating organization was involved, what was its role? Steve Bender of Newport Beach Rotary and his Sea 2 Sky Solutions and his 7Seas Initiative are the organizers of this project. 7. Income
8. Expenditures
District must retain receipts of all expenditures for at least five years. Please scan and upload to the project's "Documents" tab all invoices (be sure they are marked "paid"), receipts and/or copies of checks for the full amount of the project budget. By signing this report, I confirm that to the best of my knowledge these District Grant funds were spent only for eligible items in accordance with Trustee-approved guidelines, and that all of the information contained herein is true and accurate. I also understand that all photographs submitted in connection with this report will become the property of RI and will not be returned. I warrant that I own all rights in the photographs, including copyright, and herby grant RI and TRF a royalty free irrevocable license to use the photographs now or at any time in the future, throughout the world in any manner it so chooses and in any medium now known or later developed. This includes the right to modify the photograph(s) as necessary in RI's sole discretion. This also includes, without limitation, use on or in the web site, magazines, brochures, pamphlets, exhibitions and any other promotional materials of RI and TRF.
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