The Tanzania coastal environment and its resources are extremely important and there is ongoing widespread degradation which threatens the mangroves including overexploitation and conversions to other land uses such as solar salt pans, aquaculture, agriculture, and urban expansion. Mangroves are also directly tied to the culture and heritage of the region with many structures, boats and other amenities being built with mangrove wood. In order to address these issues, Wetlands International Eastern Africa and Mangrove Action Project (MAP) conducted an in-depth mangrove restoration training using the Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) approach for local community associations, NGOs, forestry officers and government staff.

The workshop held in Tanga, Tanzania, aimed to strengthen local capacity for mangrove conservation and restoration using the Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) approach. Over five days, 24 participants received theoretical training in mangrove ecology, biological adaptations, hydrology, species zonation, and the ecological factors influencing natural regeneration. Classroom sessions, collaborative exercises, and technical demonstrations were combined to ensure that attendees understood both the scientific principles and the social dimensions required for successful restoration. Activities also included analyzing global examples of restoration failures, reviewing visual materials illustrating best practices, and discussing why projects often fail when hydrology and site conditions are not properly assessed.

Multiple field visits allowed participants to observe mangrove stands in different ecological conditions, identify species, recognize natural zonation patterns, and assess local challenges such as hydrological disruption, salinity changes, land-use pressures, and community dependency on mangrove resources. Teams conducted practical site assessments, collected environmental and social data, drafted conceptual restoration plans, and presented their findings. By the end of the training, participants had gained a deeper understanding of the CBEMR process and improved skills to design, implement, and monitor effective mangrove restoration projects in their respective regions.