International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem Mangroves are unique ecosystems that thrive at the interphase between land and sea, forming unique forests along tropical and subtropical coastlines. Rooted in saline water and soils exposed to the tides, these plants form a rare and fragile universe; a haven of life that must be protected. From their intertwining roots to the tips of their branches, mangroves are a complex habitat and one of the most flourishing ecosystems in existence.  In Kenya, these ecosystems play a vital role in protecting shorelines from erosion, supporting rich marine biodiversity, and acting as powerful carbon sinks that help mitigate climate change. Beyond their ecological value, mangroves are lifelines for millions, especially coastal and indigenous communities providing food, income, and cultural heritage. Participatory monitoring of mangroves with Tunusuru conservation Group in Kwale. Judith Okello, KMFRI Despite their immense importance, Kenya’s mangrove forests are under increasing threat from deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable land use. There are conservation and management efforts from different stakeholders and individuals at varying levels that need coordination. In response to the growing interest in conservation by various stakeholders and to streamline efforts, the government developed the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan (NMEMP 2017–2027). The plan aims to ensure the sustainable management, restoration, and long-term conservation of these critical coastal ecosystems. Mangrove restoration in action. Photo credit: James Mbugua CORDIO EA A National Commitment to Mangrove Protection The National Mangrove Management Committee (NMMC) was established to provide technical guidance and policy recommendations for the implementation of the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan (NMEMP). As an advisory body to the Chief Conservator of Forests, the NMMC brings together experts from forestry, fisheries, wildlife, climate, and land management sectors. Its mandate is to streamline conservation efforts, promote sustainable use of mangrove resources, and ensure that national policies are informed by science and grounded in community needs. Through its work, the NMMC has become a central unit for coordinating mangrove-related initiatives across government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. This inclusive approach ensures that conservation strategies are not only technically sound but also socially equitable and economically viable. Members of the National Mangrove Management Committee (NMMC). Global Support, Local Impact At the international level, the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) is leading a bold movement to halt mangrove loss, double protection, and restore 50% of the world’s degraded mangroves by 2030. The GMA supports countries like Kenya by providing access to scientific research, policy tools, financial resources, and capacity-building programs. Through its Kenya Chapter, the alliance works closely with existing structures like the NMMC to align global conservation goals with local realities. One of the most transformative initiatives under this partnership is the Mangrove Breakthrough, a global call to action that aims to safeguard over 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030, backed by the mobilization of $4 billion in sustainable finance. This initiative is not just about protecting trees; it’s about protecting livelihoods, food security, biodiversity and climate resilience for millions of people living in coastal areas. The Mangrove Breakthrough is aligned with several major international frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the UN Decades on Ecosystem Restoration and Ocean Science. Also, it has received the support of 40 governments at national and subnational level. By integrating these global commitments into national strategies, Kenya is reinforcing its leadership in environmental stewardship and climate action. Building Resilience from the Ground Up The collaboration between GMA–Kenya Chapter and NMMC is more than a policy alignment, it’s a platform for real change on the ground. Through joint efforts, the partnership is enhancing knowledge exchange, improving policy coherence, and optimizing the use of financial and technical resources. Local communities, often the first to feel the impacts of environmental degradation, are now better equipped to participate in and benefit from conservation efforts. Capacity-building programs are empowering community forest associations, youth groups, and women-led initiatives to take active roles in mangrove restoration. Scientific monitoring is helping track ecosystem health and inform adaptive management. And public awareness campaigns are shifting perceptions, helping more people understand the value of mangroves not just as trees, but as life-sustaining ecosystems. A Shared Vision for the Future As Kenya continues to invest in the protection and restoration of its mangrove forests, the success of these efforts will depend on sustained collaboration, innovation, and commitment. The partnership between the GMA–Kenya Chapter and the NMMC is a powerful example of how global and local actors can come together to address complex environmental challenges. By safeguarding its mangrove ecosystems, Kenya is not only protecting its coastlines and marine biodiversity but also contributing to global climate goals and securing a more resilient future for its people. The journey ahead will require continued dedication, but the foundation has been laid and the momentum is growing. Looking Ahead This year’s theme, “ Protecting Wetlands for our future ” is both timely and symbolic. Mangrove restoration is no longer just an environmental obligation—it is a pathway to climate resilience, food security, and economic empowerment for Kenya’s coastal communities. As Kenya celebrates this day, the work of the NMMC offers hope and a model for integrated, inclusive, and science-informed mangrove management. The roots of our mangroves run deep—and so must our commitment to securing their future. Fun facts :  Adapted from https://www.unesco.org/en/days/mangrove-ecosystem-conservation Written by: Damaris Kinyua, The Nature Conservancy

India’s biennial State of Forest Report is out – and mangrove cover has increased overall. A summary of the 2021 State of Forest Report is available here . The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Government of India  released Volume 1 of the report at the end of 2019. Chapter 3 is dedicated to mangrove cover with statistics and details about what states are doing to advance mangrove conservation. Here are some of the overarching statistics about mangrove cover in the country: “About 40% of [the] world’s mangrove cover is found in South East Asia and South Asia… India has about 3% of the total Mangrove cover in South Asia ” “ Mangrove cover in the country has increased by 54 sq km (1.10%) as compared to the previous assessment.” “The current assessment shows that mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km [(1.2 million acres)], which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.” “…West Bengal has 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat 23.66% and A&N Islands 12.39%. Gujarat shows maximum increase of 37 sq km in mangrove cover [(over 9,000 acres)].” “…South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal alone accounts for 41.85% mangrove cover of the country.” South 24 Parganas holds the Sunderban National Park , home to one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. “Varied topography and climate regimes, large geographical area, long coastline and oceanic islands have endowed India with a diversity of natural biomes from deserts to alpine meadows, tropical rain forests to temperate pine forests, mangroves to coral reefs and marshlands to high altitude lakes. The diversity of forests in India makes it resilient to climate change and also an efficient sink of carbon. ” The full report PDF is available here .

Carolina Bustamante, The Nature Conservancy Don Adolfo Ávila has spent half a century working in the mangrove. His work as a shellfish and crab gatherer begins early in the morning when the tide is low. Alongside his fellow members of the Manglares Porteños Artisanal Fishers Cooperative, he sets out for the day’s work. They are all natives of Puerto El Morro, located in El Morro parish, Guayas province, about two and a half hours from Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. “My father used to say, ‘We have to go fishing,’ and that was it—I’d go. The mangrove gave us our income and food for the family,” says Don Adolfo as he digs through the mud with his tool to collect shells. This work, which has long been the economic backbone of Puerto El Morro, has declined over the years due to various factors such as pollution and mangrove deforestation. Younger generations are seeking opportunities in the cities or, in the best cases, pursuing higher education. However, for those who continue the daily task of gathering crustaceans, the mangroves are more than just a source of income and food—they’ve become part of the family. Mangroves are highly efficient at capturing and storing carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. Their carbon storage capacity is significantly greater than that of other forest types. They also protect coastal communities from strong waves and winds. In this context, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) works with several coastal communities in Ecuador, providing training on monitoring and surveillance, mangrove conservation, proper shellfish and crab harvesting, community governance, and promoting sustainable livelihoods—such as in the case of Puerto El Morro. Geovanny Zambrano, Coastal Marine Technical Specialist, explains that TNC is working with several coastal communities in Guayas to establish two new Sustainable Use and Mangrove Ecosystem Stewardship Agreement Areas (AUSCEMs), locally known as mangrove concessions. These are legal instruments that allow community management of mangrove areas in Ecuador for a period of 10 years. These agreements are formal contracts between the state and organized user groups—such as ancestral communities, associations, and cooperatives—allowing them to sustainably use and steward mangrove areas recognized as public goods. That’s why, when Don Adolfo collects shells and crabs, he does so with the speed and precision necessary to respect the conservation of the ecosystem. In the case of crabs, he explains that traps should be avoided. Proper harvesting ensures that only mature male individuals of adequate size are captured, allowing populations to reproduce and maintain their numbers. Traps can catch immature individuals, affecting the population’s ability to regenerate. Manual collection allows gatherers to carefully select individuals, reducing incidental catch, which already impacts their daily work. “Before, we spent less time collecting and didn’t have to dig so deep into the mud. Now we spend over four hours to get about 28 crabs, 30 at most per day,” says Don Adolfo. Alongside crustacean harvesting is the management of the mangrove nursery. Those who work there carry out each task with the awareness that mangroves help improve water quality by filtering pollutants and sediments. This benefits not only marine ecosystems but also the human communities that depend on these waters. Diana Marcial is part of a group that monitors and maintains the plant beds, ensuring they receive enough water and light to grow. They produce white, red, and black mangrove seedlings and sell them as part of their livelihoods to support their families. “We’re currently working with over 5,000 planted seedlings. We sell them to different people, but we know that through this we’re reforesting, conserving the environment, and supporting our families with work,” says Diana Marcial. Once the plants reach an appropriate size, they are transplanted to mangrove restoration areas where they can continue growing and contribute to the recovery of this vital ecosystem. This not only protects the community but also improves environmental quality in surrounding areas through the ecosystem services mangroves provide. “We see the community motivated to conserve and protect the mangrove. We know that the information and guidance we provide changes lives and contributes to decisive actions to restore ecosystems that have been degraded for years,” says Geovanny as he walks toward the boat that will take him back to continue his work in other communities and provinces of Ecuador. About the Humboldt Current  The Humboldt Current is a marine ecosystem rich in resources. Although it covers only 1% of the world’s ocean surface, it generates 15% of global fish catch. It flows through the waters of Ecuador, Chile, and Peru. TNC Ecuador works across three main areas in this iconic seascape, one of which is mangrove conservation as a key strategy for climate change mitigation. Member Story provided by Carolina Bustamante, The Nature Conservancy

Lessons from Lamu On World Mangrove Day 2024, Rassam Mansur explains how hydrological techniques learned through CBEMR training were applied to restore the Muhogoni site in Lamu.Photo credit: Priscilla Kagwa – Wetlands International Rassam Mansur was born in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. But his first encounter with mangroves wasn’t outdoors or in a classroom. Rassam was 9 years old when the 2004 tsunami struck. His family was supposed to go to the beach that day but instead they stayed home, heeding warnings from the Kenyan government. “I remember asking my mother why there wasn’t much impact in Kenya,” he recalls. “My mother is not a learned person. And though her reasoning was flawed, what she said stuck with me. She told me, ‘Coral reefs and mangroves are the guardians of our coasts." That simple statement sparked a fascination. Years later, Rassam moved up the Kenyan coast to Lamu, a place where mangroves aren’t just guardians, but they are providers. “We are a marine people,” Rassam explains. “We rely on mangroves for food, fuel, and building materials. We even export mangrove wood to other regions of Kenya.” But Rassam doesn’t love mangroves for what they give but rather what they are. “They are so quiet and peaceful yet bursting with life. It’s like being in a world within a world,” he says. But over time, the harvesting of these mangroves took a toll and the degradation Rassam saw broke his heart. Committed to reversing the damage, he led a group of 15 of his family and friends that set up nurseries, grew seedlings, and planted them. For years they attempted to revive the mangroves by planting, but their efforts failed repeatedly as most of the seedlings died. Mangrove dieback in Muhogoni site - Priscilla Kagwa, Wetlands International “I didn’t know why this kept happening, but I was beginning to lose faith,” he says. Then fate intervened. Everything changed in 2022 when Wetlands International and Mangrove Action Project introduced a few community members to CBEMR—Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration. Among those trained was Rassam’s mother-in-law, who immediately shared what she learned with him – that the majority of mangrove mass planting efforts fail. Though well-intended, without knowing the underlying conditions of the area, planting can fail because the wrong species of seedlings might have been used, or the hydrology of the area was never restored. CBEMR, however, relied on community members understanding the root cause of degradation and applying relevant solutions to ensure the natural regeneration of mangroves, ensuring their long-term survival. “The change I’ve seen is amazing. Though there is much more to be done, CBEMR restored my mangroves and my faith.” Rassam Mansur In early 2024, Rassam crossed paths with Wetlands International again—this time more deeply involved. Wanting to avoid previous failures with mass planting, Rassam insisted the Wetlands International team assess mangrove dieback in a waterlogged site in Muhogoni (on the outskirts of Koreni Village, Lamu). The community, including Rassam, alongside Wetlands International determined the cause to be sediment flow that blocked natural water channels. Rassam and a group of thirty individuals spent four days unclogging the waterways. “We used the simple tools we already owned – spades and jembes (hoes),” he said. The group returned to the site four months later to continue their restoration efforts and found some natural regeneration already taking place. With the waterways restored, mangrove seedlings dispersed widely and had room to grow. Rassam now often visits the site both to monitor the success of his work and for his own recreational activities. “The change I’ve seen is amazing,” he comments. “Though there is much more to be done, CBEMR restored my mangroves and my faith.” Rassam putting his skills into action during a participatory video training field excursion in Lamu - Priscilla Kagwa, Wetlands International “Mangroves are our mute and mortal messiahs,” he states. They cover only 0.1% of our planet but we cannot survive without them. Rassam now serves as the Secretary of the Mkunumbi Community Forest Association where he urges his community members to take ownership of the wellbeing of their mangroves. “Mangroves are like your spouse,” he jokes. “If you have a good understanding of them, you’ll live together in peace.” On a more serious note, he calls on NGOs and others to help develop alternative livelihoods for his community. While CBEMR has proved successful, natural regeneration takes time. “We need sources of income that don’t depend on us cutting down the mangroves,” he says. “Mangroves talk to us,” he concludes. “All we have to do is stop and listen.”

Guardianes del océano y aliados para la pesca sostenible Los manglares son más que árboles costeros: son verdaderos pilares de la biodiversidad marina, esenciales para la salud de nuestros océanos y el sustento de las comunidades costeras. En MarAlliance, trabajamos activamente en Panamá y Belice para proteger estos ecosistemas críticos mediante ciencia participativa, conservación basada en evidencia y el fortalecimiento del conocimiento local. Desde sus raíces sumergidas hasta sus copas que albergan aves, los manglares ofrecen servicios ecosistémicos invaluables: protegen las costas de la erosión y las tormentas, capturan carbono a niveles superiores a los bosques tropicales, purifican el agua y sirven como viveros naturales para peces y crustáceos de importancia comercial . En Belice y Panamá, estos bosques marinos son clave para la sostenibilidad de la pesca artesanal, la seguridad alimentaria y la resiliencia climática. En Belice , desarrollamos el proyecto Hábitat de Manglares para el Reclutamiento de Peces Juveniles , financiado por el Fondo de Desafío Social Azul del Reino Unido. Mediante el uso de tecnologías como el ADN ambiental (eDNA)  y la capacitación práctica de comunidades costeras, pescadores y estudiantes, estamos fortaleciendo el monitoreo de manglares y la protección de peces juveniles. Este enfoque colaborativo une la ciencia con el conocimiento tradicional, empoderando a las comunidades locales como verdaderos guardianes del océano . En Panamá , nuestras acciones se centran en la conservación de la megafauna marina  y la gestión sostenible de hábitats costeros, incluyendo los manglares del Caribe y del Pacífico. Trabajamos mano a mano con pescadores para generar datos científicos sobre la biodiversidad y apoyar leyes de protección que beneficien tanto a la naturaleza como a los medios de vida locales. En Guna Yala, co-lideramos la evaluación más completa de arrecifes y peces en dos décadas, integrando manglares, pastos marinos y arrecifes como ecosistemas interdependientes. Los manglares mesoamericanos —como los de Laguncularia racemosa , Rhizophora mangle  y Avicennia germinans — son parte del Punto Crítico de Biodiversidad Marina Mesoamericana , hogar de miles de especies endémicas y vitales para la salud de los océanos. Su protección es fundamental para enfrentar la crisis climática y asegurar un futuro sostenible para nuestras comunidades costeras. Conservar los manglares no es solo una causa ambiental, sino una inversión estratégica para la seguridad alimentaria, la biodiversidad y la resiliencia ante el cambio climático. Member Story provided by Andrés Fraiz, MarAlliance.

New York City, September 23, 2024 – The Mangrove Breakthrough project, an ambitious multi-stakeholder initiative, was officially presented in New York City today, marking a pivotal step toward protecting 15 million hectares of mangrove forests by 2030. This groundbreaking effort aims to unlock $4 billion in funding to accelerate action for the conservation and restoration of these vital ecosystems. Led by the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) , High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC) , and Ambition Loop , the Mangrove Breakthrough forms part of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda . Building on the work of the GMA, this initiative offers a comprehensive framework for governments, businesses, and civil society to halt mangrove loss, restore half of the lost ecosystems, double protection efforts, and secure long-term, sustainable financing for all remaining mangrove forests. During the launch event, stakeholders underscored the need for breaking silos between policy, finance, and on-the-ground action to achieve transformative change. “We have lost one million hectares of mangroves since 1996—far too much,” said Jennifer Morris , Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy. Since COP28 , the Mangrove Breakthrough has made significant progress, including launching the NDC Task Force and Finance Task Force , establishing an Advisory Council , and creating the Mangrove Breakthrough Secretariat . “Since COP28, 29 governments have endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough,” said Carlos Correa , Senior Fellow at Conservation International and Mangrove Breakthrough Ambassador. The next phase of the initiative will focus on realizing the full potential of mangrove ecosystems in combating climate change and biodiversity loss. Emily Averna , Program Officer for Land Restoration at Bezos Earth Fund, emphasized the urgency of scaling efforts: “We need to triple, even quadruple, our efforts to incubate and grow mangrove projects, and ensure that funding reaches the grassroots level.” The Mangrove Breakthrough also aims to foster cross-sector collaboration, facilitating dialogue between policymakers, financial institutions, philanthropy, practitioners, and the private sector to create synergies in mangrove conservation. Key priorities include unlocking long-term financing for mangrove protection and restoration, while also enhancing national and international policy frameworks, such as integrating mangrove-positive commitments into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) . Looking ahead, the initiative will continue to showcase progress at major global forums, including CBD COP16 , COP29 , and beyond. Ignace Beguin Billecocq , Chair of the Mangrove Breakthrough Council, concluded: “We can create a blueprint for how to finance nature. Mangroves can serve as a model for how investment in ecosystems can succeed and be replicated across the globe.”

On September 17, the Guinea Bissau National Chapter of the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) was officially launched, marking a significant step towards the protection and restoration of the country’s mangrove ecosystems, which is essential for biodiversity, climate resilience, and the well-being of coastal communities. The chapter was inaugurated by Mr. Viriato Luís Soares Cassamá from the Ministry of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action of Guinea-Bissau. As a national representative of the GMA, this chapter is dedicated to halting mangrove loss, enhancing protection efforts, and promoting science-based restoration of mangrove ecosystems across Guinea Bissau. National Chapters like this play a crucial role in achieving the  GMA’s global goals  of stopping mangrove deforestation, restoring 50% of mangrove ecosystems, and doubling their protection. By engaging national and local stakeholders, this new chapter will play a vital role in aligning Guinea Bissau with the broader goals of the Global Mangrove Alliance, helping protect one of the world’s most important coastal ecosystems. This launch is seen as a critical milestone in fostering collaboration among local, national, and global partners to achieve shared mangrove restoration and conservation goals. This chapter will leverage funding, scientific knowledge and best practices, data-driven strategies to address the challenges facing mangroves and coordinated action for mangrove management. The Guinea Bissau chapter will operate under the existing National Mangrove Landscape Platform (PLANTA), an initiative that brings together key public sector and civil society actors working on mangroves. PLANTA has been working on the wide adoption and replication of mangrove restoration best practices in Guinea-Bissau, by reinforcing the capacity of national and regional stakeholders to implement  Ecological Mangrove Restoration  and make use of global mangrove monitoring tools such as the  Global Mangrove Watch . The PLANTA platform has also designed a  national mangrove restoration database  and works to improve regulatory and management tools for mangrove ecosystems in Guinea Bissau. The proposed law on mangroves and the national strategy for mangrove conservation and restoration will reinforce mangrove protection in Guinea Bissau, and promote best practices for mangrove restoration. While small on a map, Guinea Bissau is one of the most sizeable mangrove countries in the world. Providing countless species of fish and other resources, the mangroves are a lifeline to virtually all inhabitants of Guinea Bissau. Its coasts also support the second largest concentration of migratory water birds in Africa, sea-dwelling hippos and threatened species such as manatees and turtles. The official launch took place during a workshop organized by Wetlands International , with support from Conservation International (CI) and the Woka Foundation . During the event, stakeholders discussed the next steps for establishing governance and developing a work plan for the chapter, ensuring it can contribute effectively to the national objectives for mangrove conservation and restoration. Guinea Bissau also recently signed on to the  Mangrove Breakthrough , a framework for State and non-State Actors to work together towards a global science based target of securing the future of over 15 million hectares of mangroves globally by 2030, underpinned by $4bn of sustainable finance, in support of the Paris agreement and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Launch of the Guinea Bissau National GMA Chapter

A new tool to aid mangrove conservation has been developed by WWF in partnership with the University of Queensland. The Climate-Smart Mangrove Tool (CSMT) is designed to aid conservation practitioners in selecting appropriate “climate-smart” actions to reduce the current and future impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems. The CSMT is composed of an Excel-based workbook and a guidance manual, which provide a step-by-step process for assessing climate vulnerability and selecting “climate-smart” management actions.  The Tool can be applied at the start of new mangrove conservation programs or to those in progress, following the adaptive management cycle. The application of the Tool requires the collaboration of a multidisciplinary group of local experts, practitioners, and researchers to incorporate diverse views and sources of information. Using the best available global and regional datasets, as well as local knowledge and data, will help users identify climate change vulnerabilities with higher confidence.  Learn more about the Climate-Smart Mangrove Tool here.

UNFCCC, BEFF and UNOC How the GMA is meeting the moment to combat climate change, improve human livelihoods and address biodiversity loss. UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) GMA members participated in the Sixty-Second Session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) in Bonn, Germany to help elevate the role of the ocean in climate discussions under the UNFCCC. A key highlight was the team’s engagement in the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, which this year focused on three core themes:               1.           Integrating oceans into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)               2.           Embedding oceans within the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)               3.           Strengthening ocean-climate-biodiversity synergies To support ongoing negotiations around the GGA and the discussions at the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, the team worked alongside the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) and other partners to draft a  briefing paper with recommendations for marine and coastal indicators under the GGA framework . Additionally, we joined a roundtable discussion with the High-Level Climate Champions for COP29 and COP30, focused on scaling delivery across the global climate action agenda and aligning ocean priorities with the road to Belém and beyond. Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) We joined amazing cross-sector actors at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) to tackle the financial investment issues confronting the ocean. An exciting milestone during the BEFF was the launch of Mangrove Breakthrough Finance Facility and Technical Assistance Facility by The Global Mangrove Alliance and the Mangrove Breakthrough. The Mangrove Breakthrough also announced a partnership with Restor and Capital for Climate to build a robust pipeline of mangrove projects for philanthropic investment. Through direct support from Global Mangrove Alliance members, one pipeline will be developed on the Restor platform and another pipeline for return seeking capital will launch on Capital for Climate. “We believe the Mangrove Finance Facility will be a game changer in reaching our $4 billion goal for mangrove-positive finance. By pairing regional bond structures with a robust technical assistance facility, we can unlock scalable, long-term investment to stop loss, restore ecosystems and protect existing mangroves.” Ignace Beguin Billecocq, Executive Director of the Mangrove Breakthrough. 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France helped drive forward the ocean-climate agenda and raised the profile of the Global Mangrove Alliance and the Mangrove Breakthrough across key platforms and audiences.  One of the most significant outcomes of the week was Brazil’s formal endorsement of the Mangrove Breakthrough. As one of the most mangrove-rich countries in the world and host country of COP30, Brazil’s commitment marks a powerful step toward scaling coastal and marine nature-based solutions globally. This milestone was announced alongside plans for a dedicated Mangrove Finance Facility and the development of country propositions for Mexico, Indonesia and Guinea-Bissau. For more information on Brazil’s endorsement visit Mangrove Breakthrough Levels Up with Brazil Endorsement, Announces Finance Facility at UNOC .  Throughout the conference, our team participated in a dozen high-level events, strategic dialogues and bilateral meetings, highlighting science, policy tools and innovative financial mechanisms such as the Coastal Resilience Methodology and Blue Carbon Plus (BC+). Key engagements included:  1. Consultation on the 2025 Ocean Roadmap: From Nice to Belem, via Abu Dhabi:  A roundtable hosted by H.E. Razan Al Mubarak to explore alignment across UNOC, the World Conservation Congress and COP30. 2. Uniting for Impact: Building Strategic Partnerships to Achieve the Mangrove Breakthrough’s Goals:  Co-organized with the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub, this side event showcased real-world collaboration across sectors and levels of governance to drive mangrove action. 3. Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough Champions Dinner:  This event convened a group of leaders from philanthropy, finance, government and civil society to explore national-level investment opportunities to scale transformative mangrove restoration and protection. 4. Closed door meeting Mangrove Breakthrough x World Economic Forum:  Closed door meeting aiming to connect Mangrove breakthrough partners, GMA chapters and BCAP countries in order to both assess progress and work towards accelerating country-level implementation efforts towards achieving the collective goals of the Mangrove Breakthrough. 5.  Accelerating Mangrove & Coral Reef Action through the High-Level Climate Champion Breakthrough Agenda:  This high-level event brought together political leaders, the Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action, financial institutions and frontline partners to showcase the interdependence of marine ecosystem solutions and highlight how integrated, in-sync initiatives are key to accelerating system-level transformation and why the Coral and Mangrove Breakthroughs could present an opportunity to do it. 6. Meeting with Coastal 500 Mayors:  An inspiring conversation with local leaders from Indonesia, Brazil and Honduras to deepen collaboration and support their engagement in the Mangrove Breakthrough. 7. High-level Bilaterals:  Productive meetings with representatives from Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Spain and subnational leaders from Indonesia, Honduras and Brazil. Strengthening Synergies Across the Ocean Agenda As Co-Lead of the Marrakech Partnership’s Oceans and Coastal Zones group , The Nature Conservancy, a GMA Member, helped advance the broader Ocean Breakthroughs agenda—working closely with global partners to drive alignment between the Mangrove Breakthrough, the Coral Reef Breakthrough and other sectoral efforts like the launch of the Ocean Investment Protocol. A dedicated meeting with the Coral Reef Breakthrough team emphasized the value of integrated marine ecosystem approaches and set the stage for deeper collaboration across coastal habitats. Their involvement across multilateral platforms, partner events and country discussions underscored the critical role of the ocean-climate nexus in achieving the Paris Agreement and Global Biodiversity Framework goals. The team’s work helped strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, reinforce government engagement strategies and position TNC as a leading voice in delivering actionable, scalable ocean-climate solutions. Looking Ahead to COP30 and Beyond With the road to Belém ahead, a presence at UNOC helped lay critical groundwork for upcoming milestones. There was a key focus on the importance of supporting country-level implementation, mobilizing finance and ensuring that the ocean-climate nexus remains front and center at COP30, the World Conservation Congress and the broader Global Stocktake follow-up. The momentum built in Nice is already translating into stronger partnerships, new policy conversations and greater recognition of coastal and marine ecosystems as powerful climate solutions.

We are often asked how we are achieving our 2030 goals and how we are funding our members. It just so happens that those answers go hand in hand. The Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) has officially completed our first ever call for proposals!   This was the GMA’s first opportunity to directly fund and support member projects in key geographies while moving the needle towards our 2030 Goals. Our Goal under this umbrella project is to improve the management and protection of 200,000 ha and these grants get us 1/3 of the way there! The grants will also provide training opportunities for 9,000 coastal zone managers on mangrove conservation. The Process The application was launched on October 28, 2024. Members and Chapters who completed the Impact Stock Take were eligible to apply. We received highly competitive proposals from 9 National Chapters and 15 members that focused on three pillars: New and improved management of mangrove ecosystems. Guidance and training to increase in-country capacity. The use of GMW Mangrove Disturbance Alerts to enhance management activities. The applications were reviewed by experts in mangrove finance and conservation who paid particular attention to the feasibility and effectiveness of proposal activities, ensuring they adhered to the GMA Guiding Principles.  After an in-depth panel review, we are thrilled to announce the 2025 winners who will receive USD 1.5M over the next two years! Meet the Winners Both grantee finalists follow best practice guidelines and engage with local communities from start to finish. Their work is science-based and high-impact, with the potential to model best practices for future projects.   Winner of National Chapter Grant:  GMA Ecuador National Chapter Ecuador is home to the largest mangrove forest in the South Pacific. Mangroves line 61% of Ecuador’s coastline where they protect against storm surges, provide habitat for biodiversity and sustain the livelihoods of local communities. However, only 46% of Ecuador's 153,543 ha of mangroves are protected. The region faces increasing threats to its mangroves from urbanization, deforestation and commercial shrimp farming.  The selected project in Ecuador strengthens the GMA network in the region while simultaneously amplifying conservation efforts across sectors. They have curated a comprehensive communication strategy to foster citizen engagement, contribute to regulatory discussions with the government and establish observatories and knowledge-sharing platforms.  Through partnerships with the local government, communities and local universities, this project will strengthen the protection, restoration and sustainable management of 38,040 hectares of mangroves in Ecuador by:   Directly restoring 40 ha of mangroves. Recognizing 20,000 ha of mangroves as OECMs. Placing 18,000 ha of mangroves under improved management in AUSCEMs. Training 700 community members and institutional actors in ecosystem management and sustainable production activities.  Introducing sustainable livelihood initiatives to balance ecological protection with economic development. Developing and implementing a community early warning system using advanced tools like Global Mangrove Watch to monitor and detect impacts on the mangrove ecosystem.   Winner of Member Grant:  WWF Myanmar, in collaboration with their partners Myanmar Environment Rehabilitation-conservation Network (MERN) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Myanmar has some of the highest rates of mangrove loss in the world, particularly in regions like the Ayeyarwady Delta, which is home to their most productive mangrove forests. The region’s mangroves face mounting threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion and the impacts of climate change. The continued degradation of these forests endangers not only critical wildlife habitats but also the well-being of the communities that rely on them. Aligned with the Global Mangrove Alliance 2030 Goals, the WWF Myanmar project will significantly scale up mangrove conservation efforts in the delta. Through a comprehensive, community-based approach, the initiative will strengthen local governance, promote sustainable livelihoods, empower women and youth and foster long-term resilience for both people and nature. This project aims to: Reduce disaster risk by expanding the area under effective protection from 4,500 ha to 30,000 ha. Sequester an estimated 3.3 million MtCO₂e. Strengthen the livelihood activities of 12,500 people from 50 communities. Support 50 Federating Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) federated into 3 Community Forestry Associations to lead integrated management of three mangrove areas at the township level. Support up to 300 (CFUG) members with guidance, training materials and tools to improve their livelihoods and local mangrove restoration work. Mangrove conservation and restoration is a long-term action plan, built on the hard work and dedication of our global network of members and chapters. Our network benefits directly from the services mangroves provide and are negatively impacted when these ecosystems are depleted and destroyed. These two grantee winners demonstrate comprehensive examples of how community-based approaches paired with informed local governance can scale mangrove efforts around the world.

Member Spotlight The Smithsonian Institution joined the Global Mangrove Alliance at the end of 2019. The world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, encompassing 19 museums, 9 research centers and the National Zoo, the Institution was founded in 1846 in Washington D.C., USA with the purpose of increasing and diffusing knowledge.   SI has been working on mangrove research and conservation for decades. They have multiple research groups that work around the world and are extensively involved in the Caribbean and Mesoamerican reef (MAR) system. Most recently, Smithsonian researchers in collaboration with MAR Fund led the development of the “Regional Strategy for Mangrove Management, Conservation, Restoration and Monitoring in the Mesoamerican Reef 2020-2025.” This stakeholder driven process aimed to develop long-term action plans that will result in greater mangrove restoration and protections at the local and regional scale ( read more ). The Mesoamerican Mangrove and Seagrass Network, currently managed by SI, is a digital platform aimed to facilitate greater communication between different stakeholder groups, and will be an important tool in supporting management and conservation efforts in the region. In addition to the MAR system, The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center has previously teamed up with the University of Maryland to study how mangrove habitat has shifted northward through Florida’s coastlines due to climate change. You can read more about the study on SI’s website here . To find out more about SI’s other work with mangroves, check out their website .   The Institution has also recently released over 50,000 digitized archival documents and images to the public, including photographs, videos, and botanical information on various mangrove species. The Archive can be accessed online here . Smithsonian Institution Experts: Ilka (Candy) Feller Steven Canty John Parker Steve Paton   Contact: Steven Canty: cantys@si.edu

The One Year Anniversary of "Including Local Ecological Knowledge in Mangrove Restoration & Conservation." This year’s theme is “Protect Wetlands for Our Future.” Mangroves are at the heart of nature-based solutions to accomplish this. For over 50 years the global community has celebrated World Wetlands Day in honor of the signing of Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971. This year’s theme is “Protect Wetlands for Our Future.” When looking to protect our future, mangroves are at the heart of nature-based solutions. Mangroves are a critical coastal wetland as they are among the most effective ecosystems for both carbon storage and sequestration. With growing interest in conserving and restoring mangroves, it is important to understand the local context where this work occurs. This year’s World Wetlands Day marks our one year publication anniversary of “ Including Local Ecological Knowledge in Mangrove Restoration & Conservation .” This guide was designed to help mangrove researchers and practitioners include local ecological knowledge in their projects. The knowledge compounded over generations and held by local people is an invaluable asset. The Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) Guide is available in full in Swahili , Bahasa , and Spanish languages. It also features over twenty case studies of mangrove projects engaging LEK around the world. Interested in learning more? Dive into a few of the case studies below! Case Study 1: Green July Location : Amazon Coastal Zone of Pará State, Brazil Duration: 2021 – ongoing Green July is a grassroots campaign supported by Rare where local people celebrate the importance of the vast mangrove ecosystems along Brazil’s Amazon Coast, strengthening the role of local community members as mangrove guardians. It is one of the world’s largest community-led movements to protect mangroves, having reached 200 communities and 3,000 members since 2021. This involved creating a “Maretório Manifesto” that highlighted traditional Brazilian wisdom. Case Study 6: Harnessing Local Knowledge Location : Bay of Jiquilisco, El Salvador Duration: 2011 – ongoing The Bay of Jiquilisco is home to one of the region’s most extensive and diverse mangrove forests. Covering over 63,000 hectares, this invaluable ecosystem earned its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar Wetland of International Importance due to its unique biodiversity and global significance. Since 2011, an estimated 62 hectares of mangroves have been restored across these project sites. The local knowledge and technical training made communities both beneficiaries and active participants in mangrove conservation. Case Study 9: Reviving Mangroves Location : Adirampattinam, Thanjavur District, India Duration: 2022 – ongoing Since 2022, this project has focused on the restoration and conservation of mangroves, while reducing plastic usage in mangrove nurseries and simultaneously empowering the traditional craft of Palmyra bag-making to foster sustainable livelihoods for the local community. The local community provide invaluable insights that extend to identifying threats such as erosion, pollution, illegal logging, the impact of climate change, and overexploitation on mangrove ecosystems. They also possess inherited knowledge of the medicinal uses, food sources, building materials, and cultural significance associated with mangroves. Case Study 11: Building Kerakera Location : West Papua, Indonesia Duration: 2022 – 2027 The goal of this project is to enhance protection and management of mangroves. Passing on local knowledge, cultural practices, and traditional regulations has been central to mangrove conservation in West Papua, Indonesia. The project delivers several interventions through awareness raising, capacity building, and policy dialogue with local authorities including local government and tribe/traditional leaders. Explore the complete guide here and deepen your understanding on the best practices for engaging with and harnessing the power of LEK in mangrove restoration and conservation.