Today is World Wetlands Day (2nd Feb).
Join the DECR team to clean-up and plant mangroves at Wheeland Pond in Blue Hills this Saturday (4th February) at 8am. All are invited to help conserve this important local wetland habitat.
Two years ago, our School Council joined a team of other local school children to plant mangroves at Wheeland Pond together with Amy Avenant, the DECR Outreach Coordinator. Last year, our current Year 5s learnt about mangrove habitats, and how they CAN and have to help to conserve these for the future… Why are our mangrove systems so important? How do these work in unison with the coral reefs? And what would happen to our island if the mangroves aren’t protected. Amy Avenant from DEMA took the children on a trip to the mangrove system on Flamingo Lake. With her expertise guidance, they observed and learnt about these amazing habitats close up.
Please take two minutes to watch the mangrove video below. Filmed in our neighbouring Bahamas, it give us a powerful insight into why we should actively protecting our mangroves here in the Turks and Caicos. Also learn more at http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/
The Beauty of Mangrove Forests
Last year with Amy, the children learnt about the impact that we as residents on the island are having on our wetland habitats, such as: litter, car fumes and the building of roads and buildings. This has had a dramatic effect on the species of wildlife that live in this habitat and the children all felt that was a real shame.
Amy also explained how the mangroves protect our special islands, and how they protect the beautiful marine life that our islands are blessed with.
Did you know that the mangroves are a form of protection against hurricanes?
Are you also aware that the mangroves provide a form of nursery for fish fry and juvenile fish?
The small channels and shallow warm nutritious water provide the perfect conditions for their growth.
Want to know more about mangroves systems around the world? Then watch this 30 minute video, ‘Mangroves – Guardians of the Coast’:
The children acknowledged how lucky they are to have a variety of habitats on their doorsteps, and the topic of conservation was at the forefront of their studies. Alongside the mangrove habitats, they have been researching the amazing coral reef, and the beautiful plant habitats that we find in the TCI. This led to the children having lots of discussions about how our local habitats vary from those all around the world.
