EARTHCARE Eco Kids & Volunteers excited before the important Mangrove Planting exercise
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EARTHCARE Eco Kids and Volunteers staged a Mangrove planting on Grand Bahama on Saturday, June 15th dedicated to honouring the Memory of Ben Rose and Judy Rose, beloved EARTHCARE members. Benjamin Rose was an Underwater Naturalist, Scuba Diving Instructor, Kayak Nature Tour Guide, Nature Artist and beloved Uncle of EARTHCARE Founder, Gail Woon. Ben’s wife, Judy fell in love with Grand Bahama in the 60s. Judy, a chef, would sell her home-made specialty breads, pumpkin & ginger soups, hummus and spice mixes under her brand, “Island Rose” at the Farmers Market every Saturday. Ben and Judy were loved by many in our community of Grand Bahama and will be missed terribly by many people all over the world.
Gail Woon, EARTHCARE Founder observed, “The Climate Crisis is upon the entire world now. Today’s mangrove planting exercise reiterates to our students the importance of mangroves as carbon sinks and one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. Salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass beds absorb large quantities of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it, in turn decreasing the effects of climate change.
EARTHCARE Eco Kids plant Mangroves in Memory of Ben & Judy Rose, EARTHCARE members
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Mangroves are valuable marine nurseries for young fish, mollusks, invertebrates and crustaceans. These wetlands serve as the first home for our fish, lobster, crab and conch. Healthy, intact mangrove forests have been proven to save lives. After the devastating tsunami of 2004 in the Indo Pacific, scientists proved that the areas where mangrove stands were intact there was little to no loss of life. Whereas on the coastal stands where the mangrove forests were replaced with hotels there was catastrophic loss of life.
In addition, the prop roots of the mangrove plants build land. The prop roots catch sediment brought in by the currents increasing land mass. We planted mangroves at Dover Sound in the wetland, in an area that had new mangroves already growing. Our students were very excited, and we heard many enthusiastic squeals as they navigated the spongy ground they had to walk on in order to plant the seedlings.”
Gail Woon, EARTHCARE Founder explains the importance of Mangroves to Drawing Down Climate Change
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The activities were made possible with the help of our faithful driver, Lakecia Rolle from Queenie’s Elite Taxi Co., Candice Woon, EARTHCARE Consultant, Kevin Tomlinson and the EARTHCARE Eco Kids: Tyler A. Riley, Shakada Hutson, Gabriella Winder, Julia Butler, Micara Sweeting, Miquel Sweeting, Josiah Smith, Abigail Smith and EARTHCARE Eco Kids Team Leader, Jonathan Smith; EARTHCARE Facilitators: Matthew Smith and Jahrin Ellis; EARTHCARE Volunteers: Marcia Winder, Jill Cooper and Gail Woon.
Gabriella Winder, EARTHCARE Eco Kid plants mangroves at Dover Sound
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Faithful EARTHCARE Volunteer, Jill Cooper plants Mangroves with a smile
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EARTHCARE Volunteers head into the flats of Dover Sound to plant Mangroves
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EARTHCARE Eco Kids & Volunteers excited before the important Mangrove Planting exercise
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Tyler Riley, EARTHCARE Eco Kid planting Mangrove Propagules at Dover Sound
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Josiah Smith, EARTHCARE Eco Kid plants Mangroves
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