As part of the Year of Sustainability and Abu Dhabi’s Climate Change Strategy, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched a new initiative - involving teachers and students of the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) - to plant a mangrove tree for every visitor and participant at the 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) 2024, which took place in Abu Dhabi from 29 January to 2 February and attended by more than 3,000 participants.
The initiative aims to reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote the adoption of nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, and reduce the environmental footprint of conference visitors.
EAD is implementing this initiative in collaboration with Emirates Nature-WWF and the World Wildlife Fund and is working to promote broad public engagement in a series of projects that address real environmental issues.
The initiative also supports the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI), which was launched as a comprehensive programme for all mangrove and blue carbon research and restoration projects in the emirate with a mission to ensure and support science-based restoration through key principles: education, engagement, research, protection and partnership.
ADMI was announced during a meeting between His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office and His Royal Highness Prince William, the Prince of Wales at Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi in February 2022.
As part of the initiative, mangrove trees will be planted during the last quarter of this year – being the most appropriate period for planting mangroves, in coastal areas, such as the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, Mirfa City and Jubail Island.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management Sector in EAD, said: “Continuing the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, the UAE and Abu Dhabi are committed to mangroves as a vital coastal habitat for blue carbon, which plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity and mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Science-based mangrove restoration efforts have continued across Abu Dhabi, with mangrove areas still the largest in the country. With this initiative, we aim to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves as a nature-based solution, and to engage students in school trips to develop their scientific research skills.
“A special space will be allocated to each school participating in the Sustainable Schools Initiative to plant mangroves, and to monitor and observe the trees through field trips, with the aim of collecting data and ensuring the health of the trees.”
The teachers supervising the field trips will be trained to understand the scientific foundations that ensure accurate data collection and effective monitoring of mangrove growth. The initiative also includes theoretical training for teachers in September to review the programme’s objectives and train teachers on how to carry out correct planting and monitoring. Afterwards, teachers will undergo practical training in October to apply theoretical knowledge and gain more effective, hands-on experience.
Five field trips will be organised for students, every two months until the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. These will include educational messages about mangrove trees and focus on building collaborative learning skills through which students are equipped with important life skills, such as leadership, organisation, communication, and thinking skills, in addition to teaching them collaborative teamwork.
During these trips, students will monitor the growth and health of trees based on specific criteria, and schools that participated in this initiative will receive certificates of participation at the end of the academic year.
