Ecosystem Regeneration and
Sustainability in the Coral Triangle
Ecosystem Regeneration and
Sustainability in the Coral Triangle
BIOSPHERE
FOUNDATION
Embark on a Journey to Empower Local People to be Tomorrow’s Leaders
Every year new interns join the Mir crew to embark on a life-long learning voyage. They are empowered with knowledge and expertise to help remote island communities manage diminishing resources in a time of great change. These Biosphere Steward leaders inspire others with an understanding that our life depends on changing the way we care for the natural world.
The Mir Mission: Sailing Towards a Sustainable Future
Programs on Board
Semester at Sea
Training student interns in the art of seamanship and navigation, as well as know-how to become practitioners in ecosystem restoration.
Semester at Sea
Training student interns in the art of seamanship and navigation, as well as know-how to become practitioners in ecosystem restoration.
Ecosystem Restoration and Food Resiliency
Educating a new generation of local heroes and youth leaders with knowledge about how to steward the health of our oceans, such as replanting coral, making compost, soil regeneration and forest restoration.
Ecosystem Restoration and Food Resiliency
Educating a new generation of local heroes and youth leaders with knowledge about how to steward the health of our oceans, such as replanting coral, making compost, soil regeneration and forest restoration.
Community Engagement
Assisting island communities to restore coral reefs, implement food gardens, and provide school education programs to inspire sustainable village-wide behavioral change.
Community Engagement
Assisting island communities to restore coral reefs, implement food gardens, and provide school education programs to inspire sustainable village-wide behavioral change.
Impact
The Mir voyages are creating a legacy of impact and know-how about ecological regenerative practices for indigenous people to live in a healthy, sustainable and abundant future.
Impact
The Mir voyages are creating a legacy of impact and know-how about ecological regenerative practices for indigenous people to live in a healthy, sustainable and abundant future.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Health and Well Being
Recognizing that human health is synonymous with the health of our biosphere. Humanity’s role is to become stewards of our earth’s living system.
Quality Education
Pioneering vocational training for indigenous peoples in science and education, as well as natural resource management, conservation, leadership and more.
Gender Equality
Our programs are inclusive to all people.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Developing simple techniques to recycle and reclaim water using ecological systems to regenerate watersheds and coastal habitats.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Providing knowledge about sustainable practices to inspire village-wide behavioral change in island communities where people are at greatest risk.
Climate Action
Creating community movements to steward healthy biodiverse ecosystems to become more resilient in a time of planetary change.
Life below water
Restoring coral reefs and mangrove forest habitats to enhance overall health and biodiversity.
Life on Land
Leading community projects in forest restoration, watershed & soil regeneration, and food production without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building a coalition of partnerships in the Coral Triangle that includes its indigenous peoples and remote island communities.
Map of Mir’s Coral Triangle Voyages
Map of Mir’s Coral Triangle Voyages
Map of Mir’s Coral Triangle Voyages
Meet the Captain and Program Coordinator
Chris Cooke
Captain
Chris Cooke
Captain
Lulu Sulastri
Program Coordinator
Lulu Sulastri
Program Coordinator
About Sailing Ship Mir
Sailing Ship MIR
Mir is a classic sailing yacht built in Rotterdam in 1910 and has been restored by Biosphere Foundation over the last decade. Historically, Mir’s most famous years were in the 1940’s as the ‘English Rose’, a seamanship training program for women in Europe. She continues this legacy today for the indigenous peoples of Indonesia.
Sailing Ship MIR
Mir is a classic sailing yacht built in Rotterdam in 1910 and has been restored by Biosphere Foundation over the last decade. Historically, Mir’s most famous years were in the 1940’s as the ‘English Rose’, a seamanship training program for women in Europe. She continues this legacy today for the indigenous peoples of Indonesia.
Abigail Alling
Founder & CEO
Abigail Alling
Founder & CEO
Mark Van Thillo
Chief Operations Officer
Mark Van Thillo
Chief Operations Officer
Biosphere Foundation Flagship
Mir is our flagship, an ocean-going vehicle which brings people together to solve real-time challenges. Biosphere Foundation has been leading maritime scientific and educational voyages with interns and island communities for the past four decades. This included an 18-year voyage around the world to map and monitor the health of 49 coral reefs destinations.
Biosphere Foundation Flagship
Mir is our flagship, an ocean-going vehicle which brings people together to solve real-time challenges. Biosphere Foundation has been leading maritime scientific and educational voyages with interns and island communities for the past four decades. This included an 18-year voyage around the world to map and monitor the health of 49 coral reefs destinations.
Biosphere Foundation Flagship
Mir is our flagship, an ocean-going vehicle which brings people together to solve real-time challenges. Biosphere Foundation has been leading maritime scientific and educational voyages with interns and island communities for the past four decades. This included an 18-year voyage around the world to map and monitor the health of 49 coral reefs destinations.
Stories of Change
Mir’s Indonesian team is building a network in the Coral Triangle to empower island peoples to be sustainable in a time of planetary change.
Coral Reef Restoration
In 2018 Mir visited the island of Moyo off of Sumbawa and inspired a local community to begin a coral project in the village of Labuan Aji. Steadily over the course of the last six years they have replanted over 2,000 broken but living coral fragments back onto the reef. Many of these areas have turned into flourishing coral gardens proving that these simple low-cost techniques can work everywhere.
Coral Reef Restoration
In 2018 Mir visited the island of Moyo off of Sumbawa and inspired a local community to begin a coral project in the village of Labuan Aji. Steadily over the course of the last six years they have replanted over 2,000 broken but living coral fragments back onto the reef. Many of these areas have turned into flourishing coral gardens proving that these simple low-cost techniques can work everywhere.
MOYO ISLAND
2024
MOYO ISLAND
2024
Bajo Community
2023
Bajo Community
2023
Community Food Gardens
In 2023, a Bajo community in the Gulf of Tomini faced food shortages due to decimated coral reefs. Our crew trained a local woman in composting and provided the village with vegetable seeds. Six months later, her floating sea gardens flourished with crops and trees, proving that these sustainable practices can bring life back to rural island communities.
Community Food Gardens
In 2023, a Bajo community in the Gulf of Tomini faced food shortages due to decimated coral reefs. Our crew trained a local woman in composting and provided the village with vegetable seeds. Six months later, her floating sea gardens flourished with crops and trees, proving that these sustainable practices can bring life back to rural island communities.
Community Food Gardens
In 2023, a Bajo community in the Gulf of Tomini faced food shortages due to decimated coral reefs. Our crew trained a local woman in composting and provided the village with vegetable seeds. Six months later, her floating sea gardens flourished with crops and trees, proving that these sustainable practices can bring life back to rural island communities.
Testimonials
Eva
Origin: Sumba NTT
"Joining MIR has changed my perspective on how I see the world. I have since limited my use of plastic, learned how to work together in a team, solve problems and also how to respond to emergencies; wow that's cool. I hope to someday bring this knowledge to my village and help my family to make a home garden of their own, as well as educate them on how to be more responsible with their fishing techniques."
Amos
Origin: Flores NTT
"My hope after finishing my journey on Mir is that I will come back to my house and continue to make home gardens, especially in my own home, so I can inspire people to make the same and then we all can solve this issue in our country!"
Yusril
Origin: Ponorogo, East Java
"My hope for joining MIR was that I could share ridge to reef knowledge with the islands of Indonesia and practice it myself. On MIR I have learned how to take care of the ship systems. I have also learned from people in all the different places Mir has been, their difficulties, successes, cultures and backgrounds. Since being on MIR I have become more sensitive to environmental conservation and helped preserve the sea by planting coral reefs."
Barra
Origin: Bekasi, West Java
"Never could I have ever imagined I would sail the ocean, but MIR welcomed me with open arms. They taught me how to sail and let me join them to promote conservation efforts around small islands in Indonesia. Definitely one of the best experiences in my life."
Ezca
Origin: Sumedang, West Java
"Sailing with MIR opened my eyes to the true condition of Indonesia's oceans, deepening my awareness of the environmental challenges we face. Beyond that, it boosted my confidence, introduced me to new skills, and, most importantly, gifted me a magical new family. This precious experience is one I will always treasure."
Yandi
Origin: Bandung, West Java
"MIR and Biosphere Foundation have given me the opportunity to learn new skills as a sailor and as a Biospherian. Since joining MIR I now understand more about how the impact of one ecosystem can affect another. My first year on MIR helped me to know my own strengths and weaknesses much better and also how to work in a team. On MIR I have become better with knowing how to divide my time and also how to become a better leader."
Yuwi
Origin: Jakarta, West Java
"I joined MIR in 2021 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to learn things I truly care about like sailing, marine conservation and permaculture. Being part of this project really helped me to find myself. I am so thankful for the opportunity I received. Joining MIR inspired me to take positive action in my community where I now have my own back yard organic home garden and also help others learn how to do it for themselves."
Nuke
Origin: Surabaya, East Java
"Living on MIR totally opened up my mind and showed me how life is indeed full of surprises. I saw things in a different way than my usual point of view. The experiences I had were beyond my imagination. So thrilling! I had valuable lessons in every single second. I am so glad I didn’t miss my chance to be part of the MIR 2023 crew, they were some of the best moments of my life so far."
Eva
Origin: Sumba NTT
"Joining MIR has changed my perspective on how I see the world. I have since limited my use of plastic, learned how to work together in a team, solve problems and also how to respond to emergencies; wow that's cool. I hope to someday bring this knowledge to my village and help my family to make a home garden of their own, as well as educate them on how to be more responsible with their fishing techniques."
Yusril
Origin: Ponorogo, East Java
"My hope for joining MIR was that I could share ridge to reef knowledge with the islands of Indonesia and practice it myself. On MIR I have learned how to take care of the ship systems. I have also learned from people in all the different places Mir has been, their difficulties, successes, cultures and backgrounds. Since being on MIR I have become more sensitive to environmental conservation and helped preserve the sea by planting coral reefs."
Amos
Origin: Flores NTT
"My hope after finishing my journey on Mir is that I will come back to my house and continue to make home gardens, especially in my own home, so I can inspire people to make the same and then we all can solve this issue in our country!"
Barra
Origin: Bekasi, West Java
"Never could I have ever imagined I would sail the ocean, but MIR welcomed me with open arms. They taught me how to sail and let me join them to promote conservation efforts around small islands in Indonesia. Definitely one of the best experiences in my life."
Yandi
Origin: Bandung, West Java
"MIR and Biosphere Foundation have given me the opportunity to learn new skills as a sailor and as a Biospherian. Since joining MIR I now understand more about how the impact of one ecosystem can affect another. My first year on MIR helped me to know my own strengths and weaknesses much better and also how to work in a team. On MIR I have become better with knowing how to divide my time and also how to become a better leader."
Ezca
Origin: Sumedang, West Java
"Sailing with MIR opened my eyes to the true condition of Indonesia's oceans, deepening my awareness of the environmental challenges we face. Beyond that, it boosted my confidence, introduced me to new skills, and, most importantly, gifted me a magical new family. This precious experience is one I will always treasure."
Yuwi
Origin: Jakarta, West Java
"I joined MIR in 2021 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to learn things I truly care about like sailing, marine conservation and permaculture. Being part of this project really helped me to find myself. I am so thankful for the opportunity I received. Joining MIR inspired me to take positive action in my community where I now have my own back yard organic home garden and also help others learn how to do it for themselves."
Nuke
Origin: Surabaya, East Java
"Living on MIR totally opened up my mind and showed me how life is indeed full of surprises. I saw things in a different way than my usual point of view. The experiences I had were beyond my imagination. So thrilling! I had valuable lessons in every single second. I am so glad I didn’t miss my chance to be part of the MIR 2023 crew, they were some of the best moments of my life so far."
Eva
Origin: Sumba NTT
"Joining MIR has changed my perspective on how I see the world. I have since limited my use of plastic, learned how to work together in a team, solve problems and also how to respond to emergencies; wow that's cool. I hope to someday bring this knowledge to my village and help my family to make a home garden of their own, as well as educate them on how to be more responsible with their fishing techniques."
Yusril
Origin: Ponorogo, East Java
"My hope for joining MIR was that I could share ridge to reef knowledge with the islands of Indonesia and practice it myself. On MIR I have learned how to take care of the ship systems. I have also learned from people in all the different places Mir has been, their difficulties, successes, cultures and backgrounds. Since being on MIR I have become more sensitive to environmental conservation and helped preserve the sea by planting coral reefs."
Amos
Origin: Flores NTT
"My hope after finishing my journey on Mir is that I will come back to my house and continue to make home gardens, especially in my own home, so I can inspire people to make the same and then we all can solve this issue in our country!"
Barra
Origin: Bekasi, West Java
"Never could I have ever imagined I would sail the ocean, but MIR welcomed me with open arms. They taught me how to sail and let me join them to promote conservation efforts around small islands in Indonesia. Definitely one of the best experiences in my life."
Yandi
Origin: Bandung, West Java
"MIR and Biosphere Foundation have given me the opportunity to learn new skills as a sailor and as a Biospherian. Since joining MIR I now understand more about how the impact of one ecosystem can affect another. My first year on MIR helped me to know my own strengths and weaknesses much better and also how to work in a team. On MIR I have become better with knowing how to divide my time and also how to become a better leader."
Ezca
Origin: Sumedang, West Java
"Sailing with MIR opened my eyes to the true condition of Indonesia's oceans, deepening my awareness of the environmental challenges we face. Beyond that, it boosted my confidence, introduced me to new skills, and, most importantly, gifted me a magical new family. This precious experience is one I will always treasure."
Yuwi
Origin: Jakarta, West Java
"I joined MIR in 2021 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to learn things I truly care about like sailing, marine conservation and permaculture. Being part of this project really helped me to find myself. I am so thankful for the opportunity I received. Joining MIR inspired me to take positive action in my community where I now have my own back yard organic home garden and also help others learn how to do it for themselves."
Nuke
Origin: Surabaya, East Java
"Living on MIR totally opened up my mind and showed me how life is indeed full of surprises. I saw things in a different way than my usual point of view. The experiences I had were beyond my imagination. So thrilling! I had valuable lessons in every single second. I am so glad I didn’t miss my chance to be part of the MIR 2023 crew, they were some of the best moments of my life so far."
Be Part of the Change
Now is the time to act.
We are seeking interested partners and collaborators for our upcoming voyage.
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