Global Coralition Launches Mangrove Restoration Initiative in the Dominican Republic
Global Coralition is proud to announce the launch of a new mangrove restoration initiative in the Dominican Republic, expanding our mission to protect and restore vital coastal ecosystems. Building on our work with coral reefs, this program marks a major step toward a holistic approach to ocean and coastal resilience.
Why Mangroves Matter
Mangroves are among the most important — and threatened — ecosystems on Earth. These extraordinary coastal forests:
Act as nurseries for marine life, supporting fisheries and biodiversity.
Protect coastlines by reducing erosion and buffering storm surges, which is critical for communities vulnerable to hurricanes and rising seas.
Serve as powerful carbon sinks, storing up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests.
Yet across the Caribbean, mangroves have been cleared at alarming rates due to coastal development, pollution, and climate change, undermining both local livelihoods and global climate goals.
the island of kiskeya
Our partners at Despri Haiti had been working in Haiti for many years, restoring watersheds and planting trees. They have planted 500,000 mangroves to date. With their guidance and expertise, we launched together a mangrove restoration initiative in the Cabarete Lagoona on the other side of the island in the Dominican Republic. Since 2023, we have planted another 700,000 mangroves - totally 1.2 million mangroves across the island.
By restoring mangroves alongside our coral initiatives, we can:
Create integrated blue carbon ecosystems that sequester carbon and combat climate change.
Improve water quality for coral reefs by stabilizing sediments and filtering runoff.
Strengthen community resilience through education, training, and sustainable livelihoods tied to healthy mangroves.
This image shows the progression of restoration at the site in Haiti