MANGROVE ACTION PROJECT

MAP continued to expand its global reach, delivering hands-on and virtual Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) training workshops across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, expanding its outreach efforts to raise awareness of mangrove conservation, and continuing its youth education program. MAP held our first CBEMR field training in Mozambique this year, along with our largest-ever workshop in our 32-year history, held in Kenya. MAP expanded its virtual training series, connecting practitioners from El Salvador, Madagascar, and beyond. These sessions extend our reach to restorationists who cannot attend in-person workshops. Our follow-up visits in Kenya and Madagascar allowed us to measure progress, strengthen partnerships, and ensure training outcomes are translating into long-term, community-led restoration success. Our Global Mangrove News publication, now the world's longest-running mangrove-focused news digest, reaches more than 2,200 readers monthly, continuing to provide science-based updates to the international mangrove community. MAP's Coastal Education Program for youth was piloted in Belize, integrating mangrove ecology into local school curricula through teacher training and hands-on field learning. Our long-running Marvellous Mangroves program in the Cayman Islands continued to engage students through interactive lessons and field trips, reaching over 445 students and 11 schools in 2024. The Children's Mangrove Art Contest received 350 submissions from 34 countries, showcasing the creativity and passion of young artists inspired by mangrove conservation. Our outreach efforts reached new heights this year. The 10th Mangrove Photography Awards drew 2,554 entries from 74 countries and were featured by the BBC, CNN, The Guardian, and UNESCO, with more than 41,000 visitors viewing our Abu Dhabi exhibition as part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative. MAP also released new films showcasing community-driven restoration. Return of the Mangroves continued its successful international festival run, winning multiple awards, while new productions in Kenya and Indonesia highlighted the power of collaboration through the Global Mangrove Alliance. Over 32 years since our founding, MAP remains rooted in its mission to conserve, manage, and restore the world's mangrove forests through science, training, and education. This year's growth in field impact, education, and storytelling reflects the continued strength of our partnerships and the shared commitment of our global network.