Notes from the Field.

This August, Brett Howell traveled to Maine and New Hampshire to meet with conservation leaders and organizations, including OceansWide and the Loon Preservation Committee. These visits help HCF strengthen relationships, learn directly from the field, and explore opportunities to support impactful conservation work.

After three years of partnership, Beach Collective completed its initial mangrove restoration program in Cebu, Philippines. Together, the project planted 13,500 mangrove seedlings, restored approximately 4,000m² of coastal habitat, removed 3.5 tons of waste, and created 359 paid community workdays.

HCF released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting a year of early-stage conservation partnerships, institutional growth, and the continued development of REEF Bahamas. The report also reflects a broader evolution in HCF's approach: from funding projects to helping build durable conservation platforms.

Exponent Philanthropy published a national case study examining HCF's catalytic funding model and lessons from its Seed Grant Program. Co-authored by Brett Howell and Kirsten Midura, the publication explores how early-stage partnerships can help promising conservation ideas gain momentum.

The second HCF-backed cleanup expedition to Henderson Island collected 35% less debris than the 2019 trip, early evidence that the first expedition's work is holding.

After four years of HCF support, Blue Ocean Society has removed 162,000+ pieces of litter from Gulf of Maine shorelines and launched an interactive microplastics dashboard with NH Sea Grant.

The lead tackle buyback program has now removed 101,438 pieces of lead fishing tackle (867.6 lbs) from New Hampshire waters, with 100+ retailers and collection sites engaged statewide. HCF has supported year 9 of this work with a $10K grant.