Mangrove News Digest # 629 – July 26, 2025
International Mangrove Day: Celebrating and Protecting Coastal Forests
Globally, mangroves now disappear 3–5 times faster than other forests. Natural stresses such as sea-level rise, intensified storms, droughts or cold snaps (exacerbated by climate change) compound the problem, often preventing degraded mangroves from adapting fast enough to survive. These losses release enormous stores of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and deprive communities of storm protection, fisheries and clean water. Unless addressed, experts warn that remaining mangroves could largely vanish within this century. To draw attention to this crisis, and to highlight solutions, UNESCO proclaimed 26 July as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The decision was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2015.
Mangrove Photography Awards Announced
USA – World Mangrove Day July 2026 will be highlighted again this year by the announcement of the winners in The Mangrove Action Project annual contest. Photographers of all backgrounds, ages, and levels were invited to submit their images in several categories. A winner is chosen for each category, with an overall winner being crowned Mangrove Photographer of the Year.
Sri Lanka prepares to mark World Mangrove Day with urgent call for coastal conservation
SRI LANKA – As the country prepares to mark the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi has called for intensified national efforts to restore and protect Sri Lanka’s dwindling mangrove forests, highlighting their significance in the face of climate change and coastal degradation.
Marajó: Where Mangroves Inspire the Future
BRAZIL – Every July 26 marks the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem – a day that invites us to recognize and value one of the most productive and strategic ecosystems on the planet. Today, from Soure, we celebrate a mangrove ecosystem that is not only protected but also monitored, understood, and valued.
Chakaria Sundarbans: A mangrove forest killed by aid and greed
BANGLADESH – We are telling the story of a forest that has been reduced to a single mangrove tree. Can a single tree make a forest?
Mangrove forest declines by over 20% in two decades
GHANA – The country has lost more than 20 per cent of its mangrove forest cover in the last two decades. The alarming decline is fueling concerns over weakened coastal resilience, climate stability, and the erosion of livelihoods dependent on these vital ecosystems.
Mangroves Show Surprising Resilience to Storms in a Changing Climate
USA – Researchers at the Yale School of the Environment found that mangrove forests in the Florida Everglades can recover rapidly from disturbance, underscoring the value of restoration efforts.
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!