BRANCH stands for Building Reefs And Nurseries for Coral Habitats
The BRANCH Coral Foundation was founded in 2022. Our work restores and enhances Curaçao’s beautiful coral reefs using a range of restoration techniques, such as building coral nurseries filled with endangered staghorn coral and educating the local and international community. We also give our volunteers the chance to become a part of our team and to contribute to our coral restoration efforts through a fun and informative diving experience.
BRANCH Coral Foundation has a certified ANBI status: RSIN 8272.81.249
Max is a MSc marine biologist graduate. After finishing his studies in the Netherlands he decided to move back to the island where he grew up, Curaçao, to fight for the coral reefs he fell in love with as a child. Besides being a biologist, Max has a passion for diving, teaching and entrepreneurship. Working with nature, rather than against it is his mission.
Maarten van der Kuijl
Board member
Max van Aalst
Secretary
Max has a Master in Informatics and is an experienced business consultant and manager. He has a strong affinity with diving, nature and sustainability. In 2006 he emigrated to Curacao together with his family and started his own diving school. Since 2008 worked as a consultant and as a director of a government owned entity. He now had his own business and focusses on Consultancy and Marketing. He strongly believes that only a combination of passion and business will lead to excellent results.
Noëlla Bérénos-Ruivenkamp
Board Member
Noëlla Bérénos-Ruivenkamp can be characterized as passionate with a high positive energy. She is specialized in the areas of Vision development, Strategy planning, Organizational development and HR management. Noëlla has extensive experience in supporting companies in setting their long term ambitions and making sure these are translated into yearly realistic goals and operational plans.
Daniel Corsen
Board Member
Olle Juch
Intern
Olle Juch is currently pursuing a degree in Coastal and Marine Management at the Hogeschool van Hall Larenstein in the Netherlands. During her 4-month internship at BRANCH, she will concentrate on the growth and survival of our corals in different environments.
Olivia Grubenmann
Intern
Olivia Grubenmann grew up in Switzerland and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Marine Conservation at the Université Côte d'Azur. With her background in communication and her passion for Ocean Literacy she will support the foundations' communication efforts and maintenance of the coral nurseries.
Jente van Langerak
Intern
Jente van Langerak is currently doing her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Radboud University in Nijmegen. As part of her thesis she is conducting research on coral restoration with BRANCH.
Monica Lafon
Volunteer
Monica Lafon is based in Mexico. She has a Masters Degree in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po Paris. With her background in public relations and outreach, she helped BRANCH become a member of the Ocean&Climate Platform as well as connect with Accenture Development Partnerships and Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
I loved my experience of adopting a coral with BRANCH. I get monthly updates on how the coral is doing, along with beautiful pictures.
PADI Coral Restoration Specialty
Fleur Colen
The PADI BRANCH coral restoration dive course was amazing. I learned hands-on how to care for the beautiful corals that I explored on my holiday. Thanks to the fantastic team of divers and marine biologists!
Coral nursery tour
Anique Gray
The coral nursery tour guided by a real marine biologist was wonderful. Not only did I learn how corals grow, Max also taught me everything about the functioning of a coral reef ecosystem and showed me interactions between corals, fish and other animals. Definitely worth it. Good luck with your mission BRANCH coral!
Niels en Emma
During our trip to Curaçao we explored the hidden spots of the island by joining local Max. Max really took the time to explain us both about the magic of coral restoration as well as a refresh course for diving. looking forward to going back soon and see the development of the BRANCH Coral Foundation!
Join us in our mission to restore Curacao’s beautiful coral reefs! By understanding and caring for the wonders of the ocean, we impact the entire planet – and protect its future, too. So, are you ready? It’s time to make your mark and get started with restoring our reefs.
BRANCH Coral Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization located in Curacao. We're in the process of getting an official ANBI-status as designated by the Dutch Tax Administration (RSIN ....).Any news regarding our ANBI status will be published on this site. What do we do with your donation? Thanks to your donations, BRANCH Coral Foundation can continue its efforts to restore coral reefs and also raise awareness of their importance through educating the community. Not just for us but for many more generations to come. Learn more about our work here! If you have any questions or want to discuss how to get involved, please contact:
Max van Aalst Mail: max@branchcoralfoundation.com Phone: +599 95161996