Mangrove forests are critically important ecosystems. These forests, found in coastal regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, provide habitat to a wide diversity of fish, crab, shrimp, and mollusk species, and provide food for thousands of coastal communities. Mangroves also serve as a natural barrier against extreme weather events, are one of the most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration, and have high timber potential. Despite laws that protect mangroves in Latin America and the Caribbean, these forests are threatened by human activities that have resulted in drastic declines in fisheries, loss of water quality, and have made communities more vulnerable to climate change.
Enter Pronatura Veracruz A.C. This NatureServe Network Program organizes a 4-month Mangrove Ecological Restoration and Forest Management Course. Attendees exchange experiences and skills from across the wider network, many of whom reside in different regions, yet experience similar environmental problems. Topics of discussion include strategies for community organization and training, management techniques, and best practices for operating projects across sectors. The course also includes field trips to experimental sites at Alvarado Lagoon System in Veracruz, Mexico, where the attendees learn foundational practices in mangrove ecological restoration and forestry. Awards of completion are given by the Institute of Ecology A.C.