A golden anemone wafts its tentacles, tipped with purple jewels. A student leans in, mesmerized. Studying the intricate patterns of colorful algae encrusting the rock, she points excitedly to tiny feathery worms peeking from crevices. Turning to me, she says,
Mangroves are disappearing at an alarming rate due to a variety of factors, including coastal development, pollution, and climate change. These ecosystems play a crucial role in protecting shorelines, supporting marine biodiversity, and storing carbon, yet they continue to be
In April 2024, we had the pleasure of welcoming Juan Narvaez, Regional Sustainability Manager for Playa Hotels & Resorts, to celebrate the graduation of William Knibb Memorial High School grade 12 students from the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature
My journey to Jobson Bay Eco-Beach Park was nothing short of magical. As I approached the park, the sight of pristine white beaches, partially lined with large red mangrove trees, took my breath away. Just offshore, nearby seagrass beds swayed
We are thrilled to announce the launch of another exciting year for our Mangrove Education and Restoration Programs! These programs empower students and educators to protect and restore vital mangrove ecosystems, which play a critical role in maintaining coastal protection, biodiversity,
For over ten years, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has empowered Jamaican students to protect and restore one of their most valuable natural resources—mangrove forests. Mangroves are vital to coastal communities, protecting shores from storms, filtering water, and
Today’s guest blog comes from Sandra Turner, who works to promote the equitable advancement of climate literacy and ocean conservation. The Geography of Awe is the name of her latest National Geographic Society grant project, where she integrates her fieldwork
Often, we share comments about our B.A.M. and J.A.M.I.N. programs from the students’ perspectives. This year I would like to highlight our remarkable teachers. Teachers are the backbone of our mangrove education and restoration programs, and their crucial role cannot
Throughout the B.A.M. and J.A.M.I.N. programs, we evaluate each program by surveying students in each of the three phases of the mangrove education and restoration process. We use this information to gauge how much information the students initially know regarding
After a hiatus of over two years due to the unforeseen impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were eager to resume the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) this past school year. With its return came several changes, and
