Mangrove News Digest # 630 – Aug 9, 2025
Children Explore Mangrove Forests in Liberia Through Conservation Art Workshop
LIBERIA – As part of the Chimpanzee Community project, a special workshop was held at the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) sanctuary. Twenty local school children took part in an immersive experience led by esteemed Liberian conservationist Allen Gweh, exploring the sanctuary’s mangrove forest and learning about its critical importance to chimpanzees and other species. The event was organized by Jane Lee McCracken, founder of Drawing for the Planet, who is currently leading the Chimpanzee Community project in partnership with LCRP and Born Free. The program aims to educate children in Liberia about critically endangered western chimpanzees through a combination of conservation learning and drawing. Jenny Desmond, co-founder of LCRP, discovered the competition and saw an opportunity to integrate it into the ongoing education and art program. As part of this initiative, children visited the mangrove habitat, learned about its biodiversity, and created observational drawings of the surrounding trees and plants—deepening both their knowledge and their connection to the natural world. This workshop highlights the power of combining environmental education with creativity to inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Mangrove Rangers use drones to track mangroves' health on Sarasota and Manatee shoreline
USA – A group of advocates called the Mangrove Rangers are using drones to document the health of mangrove forests in Sarasota Bay and advocate for better local protection of the key natural resources by Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Iranian researchers prove practicality of drones in managing mangrove forests
IRAN – According to research, drones can provide reliable estimates of blue carbon (BC) through non-invasive means—eliminating the need to harvest, cut, or physically disturb individual trees—supporting their application in mangrove monitoring and ecosystem service assessments, even under challenging field conditions.
‘I couldn’t watch the forests vanish’: the man restoring Solomon Islands’ vital mangroves
SOLOMON ISLANDS – Ben Waleilia is leading a grassroots campaign to restore and protect mangroves – and preserve livelihoods. The 59-year-old noticed the disappearing trees and receding coastline years ago and knew he had to act.
Rooted in resilience: Cambodian Red Cross unites communities to restore mangroves
CAMBODIA – In southern Cambodia’s Kampot province, a recent mangrove planting event brought together Red Cross volunteers and local residents – young and old – along with the IFRC to restore degraded coastal areas by planting mangrove trees.
Myanmar’s overlooked moon forests are key to coastal resilience
MYANMAR – Most mangrove restoration in Myanmar is state-managed. But it often fails because, after the replanting, nobody remains to take care of the regenerating mangrove forests. Maintenance is key.
Mangrove resistance to water contamination and plastic in the Motagua River, Guatemala
GUATEMALA – This study examines the environmental conditions near the Motagua River mouth in the Caribbean Sea, focusing on mangrove resilience, plastic pollution, and water turbidity. Photosynthesis data reveals mangrove strong resistance with high absorption values in northern and southern regions, though reduced near the river mouth between 2023 and 2025.
MAP’s Children’s Art Contest: DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Mangrove Photography Awards 2025
ACTION ALERTS
Protect the mangroves and tropical forests of Brazil’s Tauá-Mirim! Sign Now
URGENT NOTICE – Panama’s Mangroves Under Threat! sign the petition.
Keep Deutsche Bahn out of Amazonia!
Fight the Marine Bitumen Spill
Stop land grabbing and racial discrimination for palm oil in Ecuador
Thank you to our many supporters who made this work possible, and to all of our friends and partners working to protect mangrove forests, worldwide. Mangrove Action Project relies on the generosity of donors to do our urgent work. Whether it’s a one-time or monthly commitment, your contributions make a real difference in safeguarding these critical ecosystems.
LIKE THIS NEWS DIGEST?
Subscribe and never miss an issue!