“Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea. These extra ordinary ecosystems contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. They support a rich biodiversity and provide a valuable nursery habitat for fish and crustaceans. Mangroves also act as a form of natural coastal defense against storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels and erosion. Their soils are highly effective carbon sinks, sequestering vast amounts of carbon.

Yet mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than overall global forest losses, with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts. Current estimates indicate that mangrove coverage has been divided by two in the past 40 years.” *UNESCO 

Learn more about mangroves at https://www.unesco.org/en/days/mangrove-ecosystem-conservation 

Groups from Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots in Tanzania and Zanzibar spent the last week of July celebrating the day with various educational activities at schools, as well as excursions that included mangrove restoration. Well done team Tanzania!

We invite all groups that are working on Mangrove protection and restoration to join the celebrations on a global scale annually on each year on July 26 for World Mangrove Day. Contact us for more information on how to start a group in your community.