Mexico's Mangrove Guardians

Mexico's Mangrove Guardians

Mexico is home to more than 900,000 hectares of mangroves. This massive ecosystem provides substantial benefits to the country’s economy – with an annual environmental services benefit estimated between $1.44 trillion and $24.3 trillion.  Similar to how climate change crosses borders, sharing is caring for Israel Moras Narváez and his colleagues at Cooperativa Carey. And by guarding the mangroves in Isla Arena and Tankuché, Mexico, life springs anew as people and animals alike reap the benefits...allowing for a thriving ecotourism operation to flourish.  This is the third video in our five-part series featuring Mexico’s Mangrove Guardians.

 Unfortunately, the unchecked expansion of tourism, urbanization, and land use changes, particularly for agriculture and cattle grazing, have led to the decimation of extensive areas of Mexico's mangroves. So Narváez is teaching the next generation how to care for and promote the value of these vital parts of the community.  Healthy mangrove ecosystems sustain healthy habitats for wildlife, serve as barriers against climate disasters for the community, and act as carbon capture powerhouses; a vital nature-based solution.  As Narváez and his team show, mangrove ecosystems are a source of pride and great productivity. 

This video was developed by World Resources Institute (WRI) and funded by the Climate Solutions Partnership (CSP). The CSP is a five-year philanthropic partnership between HSBC, WRI, and WWF to help climate solutions become commercial reality and have real-world impact.  Thank you to the United Nations Development Program’s Small Grants Programme (SGP-UNDP) and Ducks Unlimited Mexico (DUMAC) our implementation partners for the Restoration and Conservation of Coastal Wetlands and Community Development (RE3CO) project.  

Watch the 4 other Mexico Mangrove Guardian films on this playlist here

Learn more about this project at: https://www.wri.org/mangrove-guardians