Mangrove conservation will bring bright future to Colombia’s fishing community

She and the rest of the group conduct cleanups to remove solid waste from mangroves, grow and plant seedlings to restore forests, and raise awareness of the importance of mangroves in protecting communities from environmental hazards.

“The most beautiful thing about mangroves is that they protect us from floods and storms,” said Diana Colon, chairwoman of the Pescadora Community Action Council.

In 2018, inspired by Cecarlos, she joined the Mangrove Guardians initiative to protect the local ecosystem she cherishes. Diana remembers playing among the mangroves as a child and recognizes their importance to the well-being of her community. Today she runs awareness and cleanup events, as well as an art workshop called “Semillero de Arte” for children and adults.

In addition to preserving the mangroves, she said the project has revitalized community life. “Before, these areas (Pescador 1 and 2) were rivals, but now we work shoulder to shoulder. We became friends. Now we are closer to each other.”

New goal

On days when the mangroves near Aeneid’s house must be cleared, both children and adults put on gloves and gather to take part. Together, they remove solid waste from mangroves, which helps improve water flow, reduce pollution and create a healthier ecosystem.

A seedling bank has been established to plant new trees along the road, which not only supports local restoration efforts, but also provides resources for other reforestation projects.