Guinea-Bissau is a mangrove country. These unique coastal forests cover around 326,000 hectares (about 806,000 acres), or 9% of the national territory — the highest proportion in the world. They not only sequester vast amounts of carbon but also provide essential services for local communities by sustaining fisheries and protecting the coastline, as well as serving as vital habitats for migratory birds and other threatened species such as manatees, dolphins and sea turtles. As a program manager for Wetlands International, I’ve seen this with my own eyes. I’ve also witnessed these ecosystems come under threat over the years due to overexploitation and environmental degradation. Over the past 80 years, the total area of mangrove forests in my country has declined by almost a third. However, a grassroots revolution is underway, spearheaded by national organizations, international partners and communities to restore mangrove landscapes in Guinea-Bissau. Since the efforts began in 2016, mangrove landscapes in my country have become more climate-resilient, and the surrounding communities more socially and economically prosperous. Guinea-Bissau’s mangroves impart many ecosystem services, such as providing habitat for wildlife, buffering coastlines from storm surges and sequestering greenhouse gases. Image courtesy of Wetlands International & Beyond Borders Media. Grassroots organizations: The heartbeat of ecological mangrove restoration Grassroots organizations are taking center stage in the restoration of mangroves. Operating in the southern part of the country, particularly around Cantanhez National Park, close to the border with Guinea, these organizations partner with international organizations such as Wetlands International to identify sites, mobilize…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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