Enhancing Community-Led Restoration in the Gulf of Guayaquil

The Global Mangrove Alliance’s Ecuador National Chapter (GMA-Ecuador) works to engage environmental authorities, local NGOs, academia, decentralised autonomous governments, and leaders of organisations with agreements for the sustainable use and custodianship of mangroves (AUSCEMs). In partnership with Mangrove Action Project, GMA-Ecuador organized a comprehensive training workshop on Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR).

Over six days, 39 participants took part in a mix of theoretical and practical training that brought mangrove ecology to life and reinforced CBEMR principles. Sessions covered key topics such as mangrove ecology, setting restoration objectives, site mapping and planning, and the role of social factors in successful restoration efforts.

The workshop also featured presentations on the state of Ecuador’s mangroves, insights from existing restoration projects, and findings from a study by The Nature Conservancy identifying priority areas for mangrove restoration in the Gulf of Guayaquil. A dedicated session on community and stakeholder engagement allowed attendees to share experiences and lessons learned in collaboration, conflict resolution, and benefit sharing.