Young Artists Celebrate Mangroves in the 2026 Children’s Mangrove Art Contest

Young artists from around the world are using their creativity to celebrate mangroves and explore how we can protect them.

We’re excited to share the winners of the 2026 Children’s Mangrove Art Contest! Now in its 26th year, the contest welcomed students aged 7 to 16 and received a record-breaking 585 artworks from 48 countries, surpassing last year’s record of 512 entries from 40 countries.

Through their artwork, participants explored three important questions: What have you learned about mangroves? What threats do they face today? And how does garbage and marine debris affect these vital forests?

Each submission reflects a young artist’s journey of discovery, whether through classroom lessons, field visits, or independent study. Together, the artworks offer a glimpse into how young people understand mangroves, from the incredible wildlife these forests support to the threats they face and the ways people can help protect them.

This year’s calendar cover features artwork by Jessie Sun, whose painting highlights the role we can all play in protecting mangroves. As Jessie explains:

“Today, mangroves face big threats from pollution, strong storms, and people cutting them down to build things, which can destroy animal homes. My painting shows that humans can be the solution instead of the threat. By having a girl plant a tiny seedling next to the big mangrove, it shows how we can help nature heal. That one small action grows the strong roots needed to protect our shores and also bring back a safe home for the fish, crabs and birds.”

Jessie’s message captures the spirit of the contest: learning about the challenges facing mangroves while recognizing that everyone has a part to play in their protection.

We are proud to present this year’s winning artworks, which will be featured in our 2027 Children’s Mangrove Art Calendar, beginning with our front cover winner Jessie Sun, Age 12, Canada (pictured above), and showcasing 12 other extraordinary pieces from young artists around the world:

1. Yalena Ayesh (Maldives, Age 12)
2. Adhvay Naidoo (South Africa, Age 13)
3. Cheung Chiu Wah (Hong Kong, Age 11)
4. Aleksander Cichoński (Poland, Age 15)
5. Nisa Islami (North Macedonia, Age 12)
6. Vivian Chiliquinga (Ecuador, Age 11)
7. Freyannah Cobengkay (Philippines, Age 12)
8. Jayden Nicholas Zheng (Indonesia, Age 14)
9. Shimla Khatun (Bangladesh, Age 16)
10. Paramee Meechamnan (Thailand, Age 10)
11. Shikha Karthi (USA, Age 11)
12. Charlene Liu (New Zealand, Age 9)

Our 2027 Children’s Mangrove Art Calendar will be available as a thank you for supporting our conservation efforts, donors contributing $100 or more will receive a complimentary copy of our 2027 calendar.  To request your copy, simply note it in the comments section of our donation page or contact Monica at monica@mangroveactionproject.org

Awarded Young Artists

Jessie Sun, Age 12, Canada

Yalena Ayesh, Age 12, Maldives

Adhvay Naidoo, Age 13, South Africa

Cheung Chiu Wah, Age 11, Hong Kong

Aleksander Cichoński, Age 15, Poland

Nisa Islami, Age 12, North Macedonia

Vivian Chiliquinga, Age 11, Ecuador

Freyannah Cobengkay, Age 12, Philippines

Jayden Nicholas Zheng, Age 14, Indonesia

Shimla, Age 16, Bangladesh

Paramee Meechamnan, Age 10, Thailand

Charlene Liu, Age 9, New Zealand

Shikha Karthi, Age 11, USA

In addition to these awarded pieces, we are pleased to showcase over 100 outstanding artworks in our 2027 Virtual Art Gallery. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the gifted students, teachers, parents, and organizations who contributed to this remarkable collection. Please take a moment to explore our wonderful gallery below!

Gallery Art Selection

Maria Karpenko, Age 11, Ukraine

Aaron Isaac, Age 11, Liberia

Aashvi Jain, Age 7, USA

Abtahi Ahsan Khan Tajbid, Age 15, Bangladesh

Ainhoa Calva, Age 9, Ecuador

Alice Andujar, Age 11, Dominican Republic

Andrea Chamba, Age 14, Ecuador

Angelina Qu, Age 8, USA

Annie Wang, Age 12, Canada

Anthony Lim, Age 14, Indonesia

Anya Tehzeeb Haque, Age 12, Bangladesh

Arafat Kazi, Age 13, Bangladesh

Aryarshi Bose, Age 12, Canada

Ayesha Rahman Isfa, Age 13, Bangladesh

Baltazar Masaquiza, Age 13, Ecuador

Betty Huang, Age 11, USA

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Chaca Angelica, Age 12, Indonesia

Charles Glay, Age 14, Liberia

Charlotte Yang, Age 10, Canada

Chelsea Blair, Age 7, Philippines

Demir Karasolak, Age 8, Turkey

Duru Akdumanh, Age 10, Turkey

Eirlanda Torres González, Cuba

Eldad Chidi-Ogbonna, Age 10, Nigeria

Eloise, Age 15, England

Eric Shen, Age 13, USA

Eva Zhao, Age 11, USA

Fairuz Azia Muntaha, Age 13, Bangladesh

Fatema Zaman, Age 8, Bangladesh

Fedora Obi, Age 14, Nigeria

Feno, Age 16, Madagascar

Grace D Bama, Age 15, Myanmar

Gulam Rabbany Tawsif, Age 15, Bangladesh

Hanna Steingahs, Age 13, Germany

Hazel Nathania Tan, Age 11, Indonesia

Hijrahaini Qurrata A yun Dzuse Kaleh, Age 8, Indonesia

Htet Wai Yan Linn, Age 13, Myanmar

Jaden Zhang, Age 11, USA

Jannati Jinat Khatun, Age 12, Bangladesh

Jenny Pham, Age 11, Canada

Jiyaan Mohamed Junaidh, Age 7, Maldives

Joanne An, Age 10, Australia

Juwayriyah Siddiquey, Age 12, Bangladesh

Karina Saez Vasquez, Age 15, Cuba

Kimberly Graciella, Age 13, Indonesia

KW Lo Yuk Jeun, Age 9, Hong kong

Lara Leba, Age 16, Turkıye

Layla Gabriel, Age 11, South Africa

Lee Dohye, Age 7, Taiwan

Lidanis Medrano, Age 10, Colombia

Lucia Zhang, Age 13, New Zealand

Luis Isai Romero Aranda, Age 11, Mexico

Nathanonth Pnasakunkarn, Age 8, Thailand

Melody Kim, Age 11, New Zealand

Mia Zhang, Age 11, China

Muhammadhu Meeshaan Ali Wajeeh, Age 14, Maldives

Mumwar Mahtab Omlan, Age 11, Bangladesh

Mutsing Wu, Age 8, USA

Nabila Tahsin Maisha, Age 12, Bangladesh

Neda V, Age 11, Oman

Nicole Lin, Age 16, Canada

Niharika Banerjee, Age 13, USA

Nusrat Islam Labonno, Age 12, Bangladesh

OC Lau Chun Lam, Age 9, Hong Kong

OC Ng Ka Man, Age 14, Hong Kong

OC Wang Eddie, Age 8, Hong Kong

Olivia Hill, Age 10, Australia

Pauline Jacobs, Age 10, Liberia

Phoebe Xia, Age 13, USA

Rasoanantenaina Fanirisoa, Age 15, Madagascar

Razia Sultana, Age 16, Bangladesh

Rehnuma Imam, Age 14, Bangladesh

Rejoice Denis, Age 13, Nigeria

Sabrin Alam Ritu, Age 11, Bangladesh

Safoyan Islam Adib, Age 13, Bangladesh

Sagara Biru, Age 7, Indonesia

Salar Hussain, Age 11, Pakistan

Sama Bandaru, Age 12, USA

Sangyu Sun, Age 14, Singapore

Sara Komiya Fonseca, Age 12, United Kingdom

Sasen Yashwin Ranaweera, Age 8, Sri Lanka

Sena Islami, Age 8, North Macedonia

Serena Umukoro, Age 10, Nigeria

Shanaya Gupta, Age 11, USA

SNazli Naghavi, Iran

Stella Hu, Age 10, USA

Suhana, Age 11, Bangladesh

Sun Jae Nam, Age 12, South Korea

Suzy Lee, Age 11, Australia

Tara Vukov, Age 9, Serbia

Tasmi Ahsan Khan, Age 15, Bangladesh

Tasniya Islam Aysha, Age 11, Bangladesh

Thony, Age15, Madagascar

Tiara Ghosh, Age 11, India

Ucy Bao, Age 8, USA

Urjitha Unaysah Arwa, Age 15, Thailand

Vivi Ma, Age 11, China

Wania Mahveen, Age 10, Bangladesh

WP-Fong NGA Ching Hayley, Age 7, Hong Kong

YL NG Yui Lam, Age 10, Hong Kong

YL Tang Lok Man, Age 11, Hong Kong

Zehnaseeb Imran Kayra, Age 11, Bangladesh

Zoe Deng, Age 9, USA