The Mangrove Champions Initiative in Kenya, led by Wetlands International and the Global Mangrove Alliance, focuses on locally led mangrove restoration by connecting practitioners, scientists, government agencies, and communities through learning exchanges. The initiative recognizes the importance of local knowledge and community leadership in successful restoration projects, emphasizing the need to understand the unique characteristics of each mangrove landscape for successful restoration. Community-led restoration efforts in Kenya have shown that getting the ecology right is crucial for successful restoration, rather than just planting trees, with income generation from mangrove nurseries and carbon credit initiatives supporting education, housing, and small businesses. Women and young people play a significant role in these restoration projects, with a focus on nursery management and restoration activities. The Global Mangrove Alliance network emphasizes the importance of culture in conservation work, highlighting the benefits of learning from local communities and promoting a collaborative approach to learning.
https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/mangrove-champions-initiative-learning-before-restoring