Restoring mangroves in Nigeria’s coastal community Esierebom

By Anna Obi Akpe, 2024 Wetland Restoration Steward and member of the Biodiversity Rescue Club Nigeria

In Esierebom, Nigeria, a sense of community and determination is bringing people together to mend a broken landscape. In collaboration with the local community, the Biodiversity Rescue Club (BRC), of which I am a part, has been working tirelessly to ensure that this solidarity between community members is directed towards the important mission of restoring wetlands.

After several consultations with the Esierebom village chief and the paramount ruler of Calabar South Local Government, the community’s passion for environmental restoration was awakened. This village in the heart of Calabar coastal region has been degraded by deforestation and pollution in recent years. The dialogues we conducted with these community members sparked a collective effort throughout the entire community to replant mangroves. 

Specifically, the paramount ruler showed strong interest in the restoration project and has thrown his full weight into the mangrove replanting and conservation project. 

Central to our restoration project is the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), a resilient native tree that flourishes in brackish water and swampy salt marshes. This perennial species, reaching heights of up to nine meters stabilizes coastal ecosystems and provides an essential habitat for various wildlife. The strong support from the paramount ruler has further motivated community participation, highlighting the importance of these mangroves in sustaining local biodiversity and combating coastal erosion.

BRC team with Chief Ekpeyong of Ekeng Effiom village. Photo: BRC Media 

Planning for a greener future

After consulting the local communities, a survey was conducted to assess the extent of the damage and identify suitable planting sites in Esierebom, before embarking on the replanting activities. The village heads, along with members of BRC and the youth leaders meticulously mapped out the areas that required urgent restoration attention.

Chief Ekpeyong and Bio-Rescuers access the deforested sites of the mangroves. Photo: BRC Media 

A community-driven effort

In July, the real restoration work began. This was a transformative moment for both the community and the environment. With energy and purpose, local youth teamed up with members of BRC, united by a shared mission of clearing two hectares of invasive Nypa palms to make way for planting mangroves. It was a bustling scene of determination and teamwork as 27 young individuals were involved in the planting. We built connections not only with each other but with the land itself.

Youths planting mangrove seedlings. Photo: BRC Media 

The most exciting day of all was July 20th. Armed with long sticks and nursery-grown seedlings, the community gathered to plant their mangrove seedlings one by one. The long sticks were essential for anchoring the seedlings into the soft muddy ground, ensuring they were protected from waves and currents. The air was filled with laughter and happiness as we worked together to bring life back to the degraded area.

Youth bring mangrove seedlings from the nursery to the replanting site. Photo: BRC Media 

However, nature had other plans. Heavy rainfall and high tides temporarily halted our planting efforts. The community witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of flooding, as water inundated homes and businesses. Yet, these setbacks only strengthened their resolve. They understood that perseverance was key to overcoming these hurdles and creating a thriving mangrove forest.

Replanting continued, and the villagers of Esierebom came together again to make a difference. Their efforts were already starting to bear fruit, watching the mangroves grow healthily from the nursery. 

As we continued to work together, they expressed excitement, knowing that this effort would bring long-lasting solutions to their environment and help solve their economic challenges. Chief Ekpeyong of the Esierebom community said: “Even though it will take awhile, with BRC’s continuous effort to educate our people and protect our mangroves, we know good things will come to us.”

Community volunteer/ eco guard, carrying mangrove seedlings from nursery to replanting site. Photo: BRC media 

Despite being a stressful event, the hard work of planting led to many lovely memories. 

The BRC strengthened our partnership with local organizations, energetic youth volunteers, and storytellers, who, by joining forces, were able to plant 3,000 mangrove seedlings. We were also able to amplify our restoration work on social media. As people took pictures of themselves with their hands dirty in the mud working in the wetland, their excitement indicated the importance of knowing they, too, are part of the success stories on climate mitigation and resilience. 

Sharing these stories is an important part of educating more people about the importance of landscape restoration.

New volunteers of the BRC in the mangrove ecosystem with the 2024 Wetland Restoration Steward. Photo: BRC Media 

World clean up day 2024

Ambe, Promise Suh, co-founder of Global Eco Mentors Initiative, and Courage Yegwa, president/ community engagement officer of the BRC at local radio station Unical FM 103.5. Photo: UNICAL F.M Media 

On September 20th, in commemoration of  World Cleanup Day, the BRC and the Global Eco Mentors Initiative (GEMI)  joined forces on local radio station Unical FM 103.5 to inspire and mobilize communities. Our powerful message emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship, aligning with the 2024 World Clean Up theme “Make Room for Life.” 

We urged listeners to take an active role in saving our world for future generations by increasing awareness of proper waste management and encouraging action.

Bio-Rescuers and members of GEMI commemorating World Cleanup Day at Esierebom beach. Photo: BRC Media 

On the 21st of September, the BRC team, united with a common purpose to turn our words into action, embarked on a cleanup of the beach of Esierebom. We worked together to remove plastic waste from the shoreline and carry out sanitization exercises with the accumulated waste. We transformed the landscape and contributed to a healthier ecosystem for all living beings.

This collective effort was more than just a cleanup; it symbolized a commitment to nurturing our environment and inspiring others to do the same. Our dedication to preserving the beauty of Esierebom sparked a ripple effect, encouraging other youth to join in the fight against plastic pollution. 

Restoration and preservation ignite a movement, reminding others that it’s never too late to repair the damage of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.  In David Attenborough’s words, “In my time, I have witnessed a terrible decline of biodiversity; in your time, you should, and you can witness a wonderful recovery.”

At the BRC, we believe we can witness the wonderful recovery of biodiversity. It begins with us all keeping the goal of keeping global temperatures below 1.5°C and nurturing our local efforts that can contribute to a cleaner, healthier world.

Let’s embrace this spirit of transformation and make room for life in all our endeavors!