By Ashley Velazquez | Project Coordinator
In the 1940s, the Papayo Coastal Lagoon in Lajas, Puerto Rico, was pushed to the brink of ecological collapse. Industrial salt production led to the clearing of ancient forests and the lagoon's total isolation from the sea. The resulting spike in salinity created a "ghost" environment—devoid of mangroves and stripped of marine life.
We aren't just planting trees; we are reversing decades of environmental trauma. By reintroducing a strategic mix of native mangroves and coastal flora, Protectores de Cuencas (PDC) is breathing life back into this vital ecosystem.
This restoration serves a dual purpose:
Ecological Rebirth: Returning the lagoon to its natural, vibrant state.
Community Protection: Creating a natural shield for the historically underserved Papayo community against coastal erosion and the escalating threats of climate change.
Progress
Our boots-on-the-ground efforts are already transforming the landscape. Through meticulous planting and the active replacement of lost seedlings, we are seeing real-world impacts:
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