المملكة: 1000 seedlings.. "KAUST" Launches the first school mangrove nursery in the Middle East
launched King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Arboretum "KAUST" For the Mangrove, which is the first school nursery for mangrove in Middle East.
The project, which was the result of cooperation between the Health, Safety and Environment Department and schools, aims to "KAUST"and the Department of Social Responsibility at the university, to instill the principles of environmental responsibility among young students, and to contribute to the protection of coastal ecosystems in the Kingdom.
1,000 mangrove seedlings
The nursery was launched earlier this year at a school "KAUST"Equipped with a thousand mangrove seedlings, making protection efforts an interactive and direct educational experience.
The school students collected mangrove seeds, planted them, and took care of them under the supervision of the safety and environment team, turning the nursery into a living classroom that enhances biodiversity and consolidates the values of caring for the environment.
Today, the first batch of mangrove trees planted in the nursery is ready to be planted on the beach, in an initiative in which students, teachers, and volunteers participate to revive the coast. And protect it.
Linking science to community work
The biodiversity specialist in the Health, Safety and Environment Department said in "KAUST" Marika Panagiotou: "The mangrove nursery embodies KAUST’s commitment to linking science, education, and community action. By engaging students in restoring their natural environment, we develop environmental leadership and foster a collective sense of responsibility that extends beyond the classroom.".
While the Sustainability Coordinator and Director of the Nutrition Education Program in Schools said "KAUST" Dwayne McIntosh: "In our schools, we are trying to move from focusing on sustainability to adopting regenerative practices, and the mangrove nursery project gives our students practical and inspiring educational opportunities to contribute to the restoration of the Kingdom’s coasts, strengthen natural barriers, provide marine habitats for organisms, and support healthy marine ecosystems."
More than 100 volunteers
The social responsibility director said: "KAUST" Hani Boujer: "This initiative reflects KAUST’s deep commitment to social responsibility and environmental awareness, by combining education, science, and community action"
He added: "With the participation of more than 100 male and female volunteers from the local community, along with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Ministry of Education, we enable young people to play an active role in protecting the ecosystems of the Red Sea, and contribute to building a more sustainable and prosperous future for our communities. This initiative highlights how local efforts can make a lasting global impact.".
Enhancing Coastal Resilience
Mangrove trees are an essential element in enhancing coastal resilience, and they also form an important part of the Kingdom’s environmental goals within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, as they contribute to protecting beaches from erosion, providing rich marine habitats, and absorbing carbon to reduce the effects of climate change.
The nursery embodies one of KAUST’s support for Saudi Arabia’s green initiatives and Vision 2030, which aims to plant more than 100 million trees. Mangrove.
This initiative comes within a series of steps taken by KAUST as the first Saudi university to join the Nature Positive Universities Network, which includes more than 500 universities in the world that work to enhance natural diversity on their campuses.
The Social Responsibility Department at KAUST also works with students from neighboring communities outside the campus to enhance environmental awareness and spread a culture of sustainability within them.
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