Indian Ocean Mangrove Restoration

While satellite images show the bigger picture, this is what that progress looks like up close: a young mangrove standing in the mud, its leaves full and green.

Seedlings like this one start small and exposed, but the rows behind it show what's ahead: trees that have had more time

These two satellite images show our planting site in Ivanguelani, where we planted over 500,000 mangroves back in 2024. In 2021, you can see large patches of bare mud still visible between the channels. By 2025, that same ground is covered in green.

Planting and follow-up care in

This Avicennia marina was planted in 2022. Three years in the salt mud of Mozambique and it's already pushing past 50cm. Not bad for a species that has to survive tidal flooding, salt stress, and scorching heat. 🌱

Past the fragile seedling stage, these young mangroves are now anchoring soil and expanding their root networks with each tidal cycle.

Combining native mangrove varieties to restore natural structure, protect shorelines, and rebuild marine habitats — each species chosen for its ability to anchor sediment, tolerate shifting salinity, and create shelter for fish, crabs, and other coastal life.

As mangroves move beyond their most vulnerable early stage, their growth becomes more stable.

Once roots are well established, survival rates improve, vertical growth increases, and mangroves begin to function more effectively as part of the coastal system.

This transition doesn’t

Mangroves are well adapted to coastal environments — but only once they’re established.
In their first months, young mangroves face strong tides, shifting sediment, and high salinity before their root systems are fully anchored. This early stage is critical, which is why careful

Keeping an eye on mangrove growth is all about the details: how the seedlings handle daily tides, how fast the new leaves appear, and how well the roots settle into the shoreline.
These checks help us understand which areas are thriving and which need extra support.

Mangrove seedlings grow slowly, and their progress depends heavily on local climate conditions.
After two years in the ground, some of these seedlings have reached up to 30 cm—small steps that mark real, steady growth.

The mangroves at our planting sites in Mozambique are looking great.
Healthy, green, and taking root.

Along the riverbanks of our planting sites in Mozambique, the mangroves are growing strong and healthy.
Their roots are spreading through the mud, helping to stabilize the soil and protect the coastlines. Each season, the forest gets a little denser—proof that the restoration efforts

Our efforts in Mozambique focused along the Tempe River, where thousands of mangrove propagules were planted to support coastal restoration.

One of the beautiful landscapes we've had the privilege to work on for several years.

Planting in mangrove ecosystems isn’t easy.

It often means trekking through thick, muddy paths to reach the right spots.

But placing propagules in these areas ensures they get the moisture they need to grow strong and healthy.

Before each planting activity, our team gathers to review best practices for propagule collection and proper planting techniques. Here's a glimpse of the dedicated team making it all happen on the ground.