# Communally Knitted Ecosystems The Crochet Coral Reef Project Educates People on Aquatic Habitats By Gil Cohen | Published 2013-04-09 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reef-project References: [beautifuldecay](http://beautifuldecay.com/2013/04/08/a-crocheted-coral-reef/) & [crochetcoralreef.org](http://crochetcoralreef.org/index.php) Institute for Figuring is a non-profit organization based out of L.A and started the Crochet Coral Reef Project as a way to spread the word on these endangered habitats. Built over time by hundreds of community members, this [crochet coral reef](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crochet-patterns) continues to grow, just like a real one would, as more people contribute their knitted creations to this project. Different organisms in varying colors are assembled to create a realistic layout, giving viewers a chance to get up close to a coral reef without having to go diving. The Crochet Coral Reef Project is highly educational, demonstrating the types of organisms growing in these aquatic ecosystems and the importance of the [diminishing reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remembering-the-future), and participating in this endeavor is an excellent school project idea. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Community-based Art Projects:** Businesses can support community-based art projects that bring people together to create a communal work of art and raise awareness for a cause. - **Environmental Education:** Businesses can invest in projects that serve as an educational tool to increase awareness of environmental issues and encourage conservation efforts. - **Craftivism:** Businesses can promote craftivism by sponsoring projects that raise awareness for social and environmental issues through creative activities like crochet and knitting. ### Where This Applies - **Non-profit:** Non-profit organizations can create community-based art projects to raise awareness about environmental issues and engage local residents in conservation efforts. - **Education:** Educational institutions can incorporate community-based art projects like the Crochet Coral Reef Project into their curriculum to teach students about environmental science and conservation. - **Arts and Crafts:** Retail businesses that sell arts and crafts supplies can promote craftivism and attract customers by sponsoring community-based art projects that advocate for social and environmental causes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful Crochet Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crochet-collection.md) - [Digital Marine Habitats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nereid-marine-habitat.md) - [3D-Printed Star Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-reef-star.md) - [3D-Printed Mycelium Reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pierre-oskam.md) - [Computational Undersea-Inspired Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coral-soaps-collection.md) - [3D-Printed Ecological Funeral Reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resting-reefs.md) - [Neurodiversity-Exploring Textiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interwoven-project.md) - [Bio-Cement Oceanic Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reef-rocket.md) - [Knitted New York Subways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/straphangers-lounge.md)