Located in the stunning archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama, The Panama Project is a living laboratory proving that integrated, community-driven conservation can simultaneously address environmental restoration, sustainable development, and cultural preservation.
The Panama Project is the flagship initiative of the 7 Seas Initiative, a comprehensive model led by Steve Bender that incorporates all seven areas of Rotary International’s focus. From coral reef restoration to reforestation, clean water systems to community health outreach, every initiative is designed to be replicated globally.
In Bocas del Toro — described as “one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth” — the Project brings together Panamanians, expats, Indigenous Ngäbe, Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic communities, Rotary clubs from across the Americas, and international volunteers united by a shared commitment to service.
Project Initiatives
- Rotary Reefs — Coral Restoration: Restoring coral colonies bleached by warming seas on Isla Solarte, with community members building reef structures and cultivating specially grown corals.
- Reforestation & Macaw Habitat: Planting thousands of native trees — including the Almendra — in partnership with ITEC students and Panama’s EPA to restore the Great Green Macaw’s critical habitat.
- Solar-Powered Clean Water: Solar-powered water systems and microgrids providing clean water to remote island communities accessible only by boat.
- Community Health Outreach: Mobile dental clinics, fluoride treatments, and health education for 100+ children at remote island schools, in partnership with Floating Doctors and Ayuda International.
- Waste & Ocean Plastic Reduction: Partnering with One Earth One Ocean to teach recycling, recover plastic, and reduce marine waste across the archipelago.
Impact to Date
Over 3,500 native trees planted at Dolphin Bay on Isla San Cristóbal. 550 Almendra (Mountain Almond) trees planted to support the return of the critically endangered Great Green Macaw. 4.3 million trees planted by Rotarians worldwide in response to President Riseley’s challenge.