Our project focuses on restoring native mangrove ecosystems in Rincon del Mar, a coastal village on Colombia's Caribbean shore that faces increasing environmental degradation due to human activity and climate change. Mangroves, essential for biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience, have been severely depleted. Through a combination of hands-on fieldwork and community-based education, we aim to regenerate this vital ecosystem.
The rapid rise of tourism in Rincon del Mar has created increasing pressure on the local environment: soil degradation, poor waste management, and water shortages. But it is the natural ecosystems that are most severely threatened. Their decline directly affects the local population. Mangroves play a vital role: they act as natural barriers against climate change, function as both lungs and kidneys to purify and filter water, and serve as breeding grounds for sealife.
At the heart of the project: the restoration of one hectare of mangrove. After collecting seeds, 5,000 young plants are raised in a nursery then planted on small islands made of organic material. Moreover, workshops are held with village children to teach them about their environment. Guided tours and cleanup actions involving residents and visitors, strengthen collective ecological awareness. Lastly, the project includes an innovative component focused on plastic waste valorization.
One hectare of mangrove is restored. This boosts local biodiversity and enhances natural protection against climate threats, while increasing blue carbon sequestration. The project's impact goes further, integrating awareness and education. The environmental workshops and tours help people understand the region's ecological challenges. In parallel, community workshops on plastic collection and recycling reduce pollution while involving youth and adults in a meaningful and empowering process.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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