SPECIAL SESSION

Co-designing Effective Methodologies in Mangrove Restoration and Conservation in the East African Coastline through Best Practices

Friday, 3rd October 2025, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm | Pelican, Pride Inn Flamingo

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This session will explore how community-led approaches, innovative technologies, and integrated policy frameworks can strengthen mangrove restoration and conservation along the East African coastline. Discussions will showcase best practices, the role of digital tools such as the Global Mangrove Watch platform, and co-designed methodologies that bridge science, policy, and practice for long-term coastal sustainability.

Rationale

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that regulate climate, protect shorelines, and sustain biodiversity and livelihoods. In the Western Indian Ocean region, they face mounting threats from deforestation, infrastructure development, and climate change. While restoration efforts are underway, success often depends on bridging the gap between scientific knowledge, policy commitments, and community action.

Wetlands International Eastern Africa, with its longstanding presence in Kenya, Tanzania, and the wider region, has developed field-tested methodologies such as Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR). By combining local stewardship with scientific approaches and digital monitoring tools, CBEMR demonstrates a scalable, inclusive pathway to restoring degraded mangrove forests.

This session will highlight these innovations, share success stories from the Lamu-Tana and Rufiji landscapes, and explore collaborative models that align conservation outcomes with sustainable blue economy priorities.

Session Highlights

• Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR): A participatory and science-driven approach for long-term mangrove recovery.
• Case studies: Experiences from Kenya’s Lamu-Tana landscape and Tanzania’s Rufiji Delta.
• Technology spotlight: Demonstration of the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) platform and how real-time data informs conservation and governance.
• Co-creation dialogue: Interactive group discussions to design pathways linking science, evidence, decision-making, and governance outcomes.
• Policy and practice integration: Strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration with KMFRI, KFS, community groups, and development partners.

Session Outcomes

• Enhanced understanding of CBEMR as a practical and community-driven restoration model.
• Greater appreciation of digital tools like GMW for evidence-based mangrove management.
• Concrete recommendations for scaling up inclusive mangrove conservation strategies.
• Strengthened collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and local communities.
• A roadmap for embedding science-policy-practice linkages into regional mangrove governance.

Speakers

Louisa Chinyavu – Regional Programme Manager, Wetlands International Eastern Africa
Introduction: Wetlands International Eastern Africa’s role in Ocean Conservation

Hazeez Abdul – Project Officer, Lamu, Wetlands International Eastern Africa
Case study presentation: Community-led restoration and governance in the Lamu–Tana Landscape (Kenya); Science, Policy, and Practice integration

Eliabu Lusingu – Project Officer – Wetlands International Tanzania
Case study presentation: Integrating CBEMR into marine protected areas in the Rufiji Landscape, Tanzania

Edmond Kuto – Regional GIS Officer, Wetlands International Eastern Africa
Technology spotlight on the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW): live demonstration, monitoring applications, and group facilitation

Dr. Elisha Mrabu – Scientist, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
Research on Mangrove Ecology and Mangrove fauna 

Organisers

Wetlands International Eastern Africa
In collaboration with WIOMSA, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and local community partners.

Date & Venue

Friday, 3rd October 2025
9.00 am – 12.30 pm (EAT)
Pelican Room, Pride Inn Flamingo

Register for the Session