By Abbas Nazil
A groundbreaking environmental education initiative is immersing students in the vast mangrove swamps of the Amazon, fostering a deep connection with the ecosystem while promoting conservation efforts.
The Escola Vai ao Mangue (“The School Goes to the Mangrove Swamp”) project, spearheaded by the nonprofit Peabiru Institute, has introduced thousands of students and teachers to the unique biodiversity of Brazil’s coastal Amazon, enabling them to experience firsthand the intricate relationships between the mangroves, rivers, forests, and the sea.
In 2024 alone, the broader Mangues da Amazônia (“Mangrove Swamps of the Amazon”) education program engaged approximately 2,000 students and 300 teachers from 29 schools and two higher education institutions.
The initiative provides an opportunity for young learners to explore the Amazon’s extensive mangrove forests, the longest continuous stretch of this ecosystem on the planet, spanning 679 kilometers from Pará to Maranhão.
For many participants, this is their first time venturing into a mangrove swamp, despite living along Brazil’s vast coastline.
One such student, 17-year-old Maria Eduarda Mendes, grew up in Bragança, a coastal town in Pará state, yet only knew about mangroves through the stories told by her grandfather and uncle, both fishermen.
Joining the project transformed her understanding, allowing her to physically engage with the muddy terrain, observe the towering roots of the vegetation, and see the very animals she had only heard about.
She eagerly shared her excitement with family members, expressing a strong desire to continue exploring the mangrove ecosystem.
The initiative is not merely an educational excursion but a comprehensive scientific experience, according to Marcus Fernandes, coordinator at the Laboratory of Mangrove Ecology at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).
He emphasizes that open-air classes deepen students’ awareness of the critical role mangroves play in coastal protection, food security, and climate change mitigation.
Mangrove forests have a remarkable capacity to store carbon—two to three times more than dry-land forests—making them a crucial ally in global efforts to combat climate change.
Through hands-on learning, students are introduced to key mangrove species, including Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove), Avicennia schaueriana (black mangrove), and Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove).
They learn to associate these species with specific sediments and explore their role in supporting diverse fauna.
For instance, red mangroves, with their muddier soils, provide an ideal habitat for crabs, which are vital to both the ecosystem and the local economy.
Beyond ecological education, the program actively involves students in conservation efforts. Participants contribute by planting mangrove seedlings in degraded areas, helping to restore damaged ecosystems.
Over the years, this initiative has successfully rehabilitated 16 hectares of mangrove forests in the Amazon.
Environmental specialists monitor these areas to track the return of crabs and assess genetic variability among mangrove species, identifying the most resilient seeds for future reforestation efforts.
This initiative also bridges traditional knowledge with modern conservation science. Fishermen and extractivists participate in the program, sharing insights into the economic and cultural significance of mangrove species such as ajuru, turu, and caranguejo-uçá.
Ajuru, a sweet pink fruit, and turu, a mollusk, are staples in local cuisine, highlighting the mangroves’ role in sustaining livelihoods.
These interactions enrich the learning experience, fostering interdisciplinary connections between science, geography, culture, and sustainability.
Brazil boasts the world’s second-largest mangrove area, surpassed only by Indonesia, with over 80 percent of the country’s mangroves concentrated along the Amazon coast, which includes the states of Amapá, Pará, and Maranhão.
According to Fernandes, this region is particularly unique due to its connection with multiple ecosystems, including coral reefs, tidal floodplains, and upland forests.
The vast freshwater basin in North Brazil supplies an abundance of sediments and nutrients, further distinguishing these mangrove swamps from others along the Brazilian coastline.
Despite Brazil’s extensive coastal regions, where over half the population resides, mangroves remain an unfamiliar and underappreciated ecosystem for many.
The Peabiru Institute’s efforts aim to change this by fostering direct engagement, ensuring that younger generations recognize the value of these coastal forests and their role in environmental balance.
Looking ahead, the project’s organizers are set to expand its reach in 2025, aligning with Pará’s hosting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém.
In preparation for the event, the Peabiru Institute will submit proposals to the 1st International Children and Youth Conference on Education and Climate Change, scheduled from March 7 to 21, with hopes of integrating environmental education into global discussions on sustainability.
For students like Maria Eduarda, this initiative is more than an academic experience—it’s a transformative journey that reshapes how they see their own environment.
With every new mangrove seedling planted and each muddy step taken, these young learners are actively contributing to the preservation of one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems.
In the years to come, as they revisit these mangrove forests, they will witness firsthand the growth of the trees they helped plant, reinforcing their role in safeguarding the Amazon’s coastal biodiversity.
