{"id":9546,"date":"2018-08-13T09:51:41","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T08:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/?p=9546"},"modified":"2019-05-20T16:33:59","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T15:33:59","slug":"world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/","title":{"rendered":"World Mangrove Day across Madagascar"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ambanja<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/team\/zo-andriamahenina\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zo Andriamahenina<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Association Support Coordinator<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the week leading up to World Mangrove Day, I was feeling pretty stressed and nervous. A moment was drawing near that my team and I have worked towards for over two years.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ten coastal communities from around Ambanja in northwest Madagascar were about to sign contracts empowering them with full responsibility over their natural resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let me explain why this is such an important moment for these communities. They will finally have the power to apply <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dina<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 community-based laws \u2013 that make sense for their context. For example, the sustainable harvest of mangroves is essential for the communities that depend on mangrove wood for their housing or cooking, but other communities can agree to have stricter harvesting restrictions due to their higher incomes or alternative livelihood options. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once detailed mangrove management plans had been produced by all ten communities, the Minister of Environment, Ecology and Forests agreed to come to the village of Ansakomanondro on 28 July to sign the contracts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 100 community representatives gathered on the night before the signing to get to know each other and share their experiences in natural resource management. This was a unique and remarkable moment, and everyone was full of excitement for the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The signing event didn\u2019t disappoint, and I could see great pride in the eyes of the community representatives as they put pen to paper. The official signing was followed by a quiz and knowledge sharing stalls from BV and our partner organisations <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.akdn.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aga Khan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mihari-network.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the MIHARI Network<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mihari-network.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WWF Madagascar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.blueventures.org\\\/en\\\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular\" data-original-width=\"900\"><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 333px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 448px; height: 337px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/signature-of-management-contract\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9551\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Signature-of-management-contract.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 7&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532775951&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000833333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The Minister signing the contracts | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Signature-of-management-contract-476x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Signature-of-management-contract-644x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Signature-of-management-contract-444x333.jpg\" width=\"444\" height=\"333\" align=\"left\" title=\"The Minister signing the contracts | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 444px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 444\/333;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">The Minister signing the contracts | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 447px; height: 337px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/kodak-digital-still-camera\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9548\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-3.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;KODAK PIXPRO AZ421&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;KODAK Digital Still Camera&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532855623&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;KODAK Digital Still Camera&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The management rights contracts | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-3-476x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-3-644x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-3-443x333.jpg\" width=\"443\" height=\"333\" align=\"left\" title=\"The management rights contracts | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 443px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 443\/333;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">The management rights contracts | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.blueventures.org\\\/en\\\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular\" data-original-width=\"900\"><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 333px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 448px; height: 337px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/ambanja-zo-2\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9547\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-2.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 7&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532775578&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000588235294118&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Celebratory dancing followed the signing | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-2-476x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-2-644x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-2-444x333.jpg\" width=\"444\" height=\"333\" align=\"left\" title=\"Celebratory dancing followed the signing | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 444px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 444\/333;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Celebratory dancing followed the signing | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 447px; height: 337px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/kodak-digital-still-camera-2\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9549\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-4.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;KODAK PIXPRO AZ421&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;KODAK Digital Still Camera&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532867961&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;KODAK Digital Still Camera&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Group photo of everyone involved in the contract signing | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-4-476x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-4-644x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Ambanja-Zo-4-443x333.jpg\" width=\"443\" height=\"333\" align=\"left\" title=\"Group photo of everyone involved in the contract signing | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 443px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 443\/333;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Group photo of everyone involved in the contract signing | Photo: Zo Andriamahenina<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was an emotional and proud day for me, having worked with these communities for so long, but I will leave you with with a quote from the speech of BV\u2019s Regional Manager C\u00e9cile Schneider, that accurately reflects how I feel about the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is not the end of the process, but the beginning. We must all continue to support one another and work together to ensure that this new management system is a success.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You can read the full story of the contract signing <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blueventures.org\/a-new-era-for-community-led-mangrove-management-in-northwest-madagascar\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mahajamba<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/team\/dolce-augustin\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dolce Augustin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Blue Forests Coordinator<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four years ago I started working with BV in the southwest of Madagascar to implement a community-based mangrove carbon project called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/131638557\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tahiry Honko<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a first in Madagascar! The challenges of setting up this project were huge, but the blue forests team and the coastal communities worked together to build strong foundations for sustainable mangrove management. I have always wanted to share these achievements with other Blue Ventures sites, and now I have the opportunity!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few weeks ago I joined the blue forests team in BV\u2019s fifth and newest site in Madagascar, the Bay of Mahajamba. I am so excited to work in this area, because it contains the largest expanses of mangrove forest in the whole country. There are also many threats to these ecosystems, and I believe that there is huge potential for the blue forests programme to make meaningful change here. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the last five weeks I have been going on scoping missions to communities in the Bay of Mahajamba, and the people I\u2019ve talked to have been excited at the prospect of working together. For me, helping to develop and expand sustainable resource use and management with these communities can\u2019t come quickly enough!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The local authorities have also expressed their support, so we are now assessing which areas of mangrove forest are restoration priorities, and how best to set up a fair and durable management system tho protect these unique ecosystems and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.blueventures.org\\\/en\\\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular\" data-original-width=\"900\"><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 300px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 491px; height: 304px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/1-14\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9553\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,740\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;F3311&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1525244190&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;111&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Communities are dependent on the mangroves | Photo: David Duque\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/1-579x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/1-745x459.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/1-487x300.jpg\" width=\"487\" height=\"300\" align=\"left\" title=\"Communities are dependent on the mangroves | Photo: David Duque\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 487px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 487\/300;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Communities are dependent on the mangroves | Photo: David Duque<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 404px; height: 304px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/olympus-digital-camera-142\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9555\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-4.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;TG-5&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1528789219&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"But threats are growing with increased immigration | Photo: David Duque\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-4-476x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-4-644x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-4-400x300.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" align=\"left\" title=\"But threats are growing with increased immigration | Photo: David Duque\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 400px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 400\/300;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">But threats are growing with increased immigration | Photo: David Duque<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 501px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 505px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/david-d-1\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9556\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,675\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;F3311&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1518881703&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;113&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mangroves in the Bay of Mahajamba | Photo: David Duque\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-1-635x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-1-745x419.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/David-D-1-891x501.jpg\" width=\"891\" height=\"501\" align=\"left\" title=\"Mangroves in the Bay of Mahajamba | Photo: David Duque\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 891px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 891\/501;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Mangroves in the Bay of Mahajamba | Photo: David Duque<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintirano<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/team\/caroline-holo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caroline Holo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Monitoring, Evaluation &amp; Learning Officer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of our work in Maintirano concerns the communities living in and around the Barren Isles, so we do not currently have any projects specifically about mangroves. However, the mangroves on the mainland are still of vital importance to the coastal communities and fisheries here, and we felt that they needed to be celebrated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We organised a small awareness-raising event on World Mangroves Day, with the help of our partner WWF Madagascar and the Regional Department of Environment, Ecology and Forests, who both have mangrove conservation projects in the Melaky region. This event was youth-focused, and took place in Les Oliviers Middle School in Maintirano. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We talked to a gathering of 50 students about the importance of mangroves, why these ecosystems are under threat, and what we can we do to protect them. We also invited the local radio station so that they could broadcast this talk throughout the region. We also talked about our regional work with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/conservation\/rebuilding-fisheries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fisheries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/conservation\/community-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">community health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help raise public awareness of ongoing projects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We distributed comic books to the students that were created and donated by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/africas_sawfish?lang=en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sawfish Detective<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These books tell the story of the sawfish \u2013 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Akio Vava<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Malagasy \u2013 an endangered species that finds refuge in mangrove ecosystems and that could disappear if the mangrove degradation continues. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The response of the students throughout the day was simply incredible. Their enthusiastic participation in the mangrove quiz at the end of the day showed how much they had engaged with the talk, and our team were still answering questions long after the event was over.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.blueventures.org\\\/en\\\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular\" data-original-width=\"900\"><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 295px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 448px; height: 299px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/caroline-1\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9557\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,799\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Photo: Caroline Holo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-1-536x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-1-725x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-1-444x295.jpg\" width=\"444\" height=\"295\" align=\"left\" title=\"Photo: Caroline Holo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 444px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 444\/295;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Photo: Caroline Holo<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 447px; height: 299px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/caroline-2-2\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9558\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-2.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,799\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Photo: Caroline Holo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-2-536x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-2-725x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-2-443x295.jpg\" width=\"443\" height=\"295\" align=\"left\" title=\"Photo: Caroline Holo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 443px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 443\/295;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Photo: Caroline Holo<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_9559\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9559\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9559 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3.jpg\" alt=\"Distributing the Sawfish Detective comic | Photo: Caroline Holo\" width=\"1200\" height=\"799\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3-98x65.jpg 98w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3-536x357.jpg 536w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3-725x483.jpg 725w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/Caroline-3-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/799;\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-9559\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Distributing the Sawfish Detective comic | Photo: Caroline Holo<\/p><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Velondriake<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/team\/cicelin-rakotomahazo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cicelin Rakotomahazo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Blue Forests Coordinator<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Velondriake Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) in southwest Madagascar, World Mangrove Day is celebrated every year, but this year was a special occasion for me. I have recently taken up the role of Blue Forests Coordinator, and it\u2019s now my job to organise the World Mangrove Day event in coordination with the Velondriake Association.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing together the communities within Velondriake is always a big task, but this year we were also hosting special guests from the UK \u2013 the UK Ambassador Phil Boyle and two representatives from the UK\u2019s department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs \u2013 as well as local NGOs and regional Government representatives. Thanks to the support of my hard-working colleagues, the event was organised without too much stress, and the day was an amazing celebration of mangroves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The event took place in the village of Befandefa, and the community hosted with a joie de vivre that impressed all the visitors. The women\u2019s group performed dances and sang songs, and the Mayor spoke with a rousing passion that touched the hearts of everyone there, describing mangroves as \u201cthe greatest treasure that will be inherited by our children\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The event was also a vital opportunity to showcase the conservation efforts of the LMMA communities, and guests to Velondriake were invited to visit stands explaining the importance of mangroves to coastal communities, and the mangrove conservation projects in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The celebrations continued with everyone wading into the mud to replant mangroves in an area chosen for reforestation. Thanks to the help of all the attendees, 15,314 propagules were planted across 2.91 ha! Not bad for an afternoon\u2019s work. After this there was even more dancing, this time with everyone joining in, followed by a friendly football competition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m so proud of what a success the day was, and how enthusiastic the communities were to share their conservation efforts. I hope the excitement and joy of the day helps motivate us all in our continued efforts to conserve mangroves in Velondriake.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.blueventures.org\\\/en\\\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular\" data-original-width=\"900\"><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 296px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 448px; height: 300px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/jmm_2018_velondriake-3\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9562\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-3.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7RM3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532603324&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The mayor&#8217;s speech | Photo: Leah Glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-3-536x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-3-725x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-3-444x296.jpg\" width=\"444\" height=\"296\" align=\"left\" title=\"The mayor&#039;s speech | Photo: Leah Glass\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 444px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 444\/296;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">The mayor&#8217;s speech | Photo: Leah Glass<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 447px; height: 300px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/jmm_2018_velondriake-2\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9561\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-2.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7RM3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532601743&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;62&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"The UK Ambassador and senior Malagasy officials at the ceremony | Photo: Leah Glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-2-536x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-2-725x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-2-443x296.jpg\" width=\"443\" height=\"296\" align=\"left\" title=\"The UK Ambassador and senior Malagasy officials at the ceremony | Photo: Leah Glass\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 443px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 443\/296;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">The UK Ambassador and senior Malagasy officials at the ceremony | Photo: Leah Glass<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_9560\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9560\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9560 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1.jpg\" alt=\"Discussing marine management in the Velondriake LMMA | Photo: Leah Glass\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1-98x65.jpg 98w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1-536x357.jpg 536w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1-725x483.jpg 725w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/800;\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-9560\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Discussing marine management in the Velondriake LMMA | Photo: Leah Glass<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":1,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.blueventures.org\\\/en\\\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular\" data-original-width=\"900\"><div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 895px; height: 330px;\"><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 224px; height: 334px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-small\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/jmm_2018_velondriake-5\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9564\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-5.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"800,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7RM3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532608052&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;47&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mangrove reforestation | Photo: Leah Glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-5-238x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-5-322x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-5-220x330.jpg\" width=\"220\" height=\"330\" align=\"left\" title=\"Mangrove reforestation | Photo: Leah Glass\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 220px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 220\/330;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Mangrove reforestation | Photo: Leah Glass<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 224px; height: 334px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-small\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/jmm_2018_velondriake-6\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9565\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-6.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"800,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7RM3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532608083&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"UK Ambassador Phil Boyle | Photo: Leah Glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-6-238x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-6-322x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-6-220x330.jpg\" width=\"220\" height=\"330\" align=\"left\" title=\"UK Ambassador Phil Boyle | Photo: Leah Glass\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 220px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 220\/330;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">UK Ambassador Phil Boyle | Photo: Leah Glass<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 224px; height: 334px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-small\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/jmm_2018_velondriake-8\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9566\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-8.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"800,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7RM3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532608676&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;31&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0166666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mangrove reforestation | Photo: Leah Glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-8-238x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-8-322x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-8-220x330.jpg\" width=\"220\" height=\"330\" align=\"left\" title=\"Mangrove reforestation | Photo: Leah Glass\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 220px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 220\/330;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Mangrove reforestation | Photo: Leah Glass<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 223px; height: 334px;\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-small\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/en\/world-mangrove-day-across-madagascar\/jmm_2018_velondriake-4\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9563\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-4.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"800,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7RM3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1532604022&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Football | Photo: Leah Glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-4-238x357.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-4-322x483.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blog.blueventures.org\/media\/2018\/08\/JMM_2018_Velondriake-4-219x330.jpg\" width=\"219\" height=\"330\" align=\"left\" title=\"Football | Photo: Leah Glass\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 219px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 219\/330;\" \/><\/a><div class=\"tiled-gallery-caption\">Football | Photo: Leah Glass<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discover our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/discover.blueventures.org\/blue-forests\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">integrated approach to community-led mangroves management<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/volunteer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join us on our conservation journey<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Cover image: Leah Glass<\/p>\n<p><em>We would like to thank the MacArthur Foundation, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the GEF Blue Forests project for their support of our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueventures.org\/conservation\/blue-forests\/\">blue forests<\/a>\u00a0programme.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Celebrate the importance of mangroves with the communities and BV teams in Ambanja, Mahajamba, Maintirano and the Velondriake LMMA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":9567,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[372,206,470,622,679,43],"tags":[605,681,600,680],"class_list":["post-9546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ambanja-madagascar","category-barren-isles-madagascar","category-blue-forests-projects","category-madagascar","category-mahajamba","category-velondriake-madagascar","tag-lmma","tag-management-rights","tag-mangroves","tag-resource-management"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>World Mangrove Day across 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