How Mangrove Restoration works: a step-by-step look at Community-Led projects

Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems. They store up to four times more carbon than tropical rainforests, protect shorelines from erosion, and provide nursery grounds for fish that support local fisheries. In Brazil, home to one of the world’s largest mangrove areas (around 1 million hectares), many zones have suffered degradation from aquaculture, urban expansion, and pollution. And we believe the people who live with mangroves every day are the ones who should lead their restoration.

In Maranhão — where we are the only Brazilian organization carrying out large-scale mangrove projects — residents from communities in Primeira Cruz and Alcântara guide every stage. They apply generations of knowledge while earning fair income from collecting, planting, and monitoring. The millions of propagules planted since 2022 are already growing into young forests, showing that this community-centered approach truly regenerates ecosystems and strengthens local livelihoods.

Here’s how these projects unfold on the ground:

1. Assessment and Community Mapping

Everything starts with listening. We partner with local fishers, crab collectors, and residents to map degraded sites. Using simple tools and their deep understanding of tides and soil, communities identify areas where water flow has been disrupted. Restoring natural hydrology is essential — mangroves need the right balance of freshwater and seawater to thrive.

2. Propagule and Seed Collection

Mangroves reproduce through propagules — long, torpedo-shaped seedlings that float and root in mud, as known as "canetas de mangue" (PT/BR). Community members collect these from nearby healthy forests during the right season. This low-cost, natural method respects local expertise passed down through generations and avoids external nurseries when possible.

3. Site Preparation and Hydrological Restoration

Before planting, teams clear debris, remove invasive species, and reopen blocked channels. This allows tides to return naturally. In some cases, small canals are dug by hand to reconnect the area with seawater. Communities decide the best approach based on what they’ve observed over years.

4. Planting with Local Hands

Planting happens during low tide windows when the mud is exposed. Families and workers plant thousands of propagules directly into the sediment, spacing them to mimic natural patterns. In Maranhão, propagules planted in 2022 are now growing into young trees, proving the method works when guided by the right hands.

5. Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance

Restoration doesn’t end with planting! Paid community monitors make regular visits to track survival, measure growth, and address issues like erosion or crab predation with adaptive techniques. This approach ensures higher success rates, turning initial planting into resilient forests.

6. Socioeconomic Integration

Healthy mangroves mean better fishing and crab harvesting. Restored areas quickly recover biodiversity, as crab and fish populations, directly boosting local catches. We also explore complementary activities like sustainable apiculture or ecotourism, creating additional income streams while protecting the ecosystem.

Measurable Impact in Maranhão and Beyond

Samaúma is the only organization conducting large-scale mangrove restoration in Brazil. Across all our projects (including mangroves, Cerrado, and tropical forests), we have planted over 13 million trees, placed more than 800 hectares under active restoration, and supported income generation for over 200 families. In coastal Maranhão communities, restored mangroves are already reducing erosion, storing carbon, and improving fisheries — all driven by the people who know the land and the sea and depend on these ecosystems most.

Join the Restoration

When communities lead, restoration lasts. Community-led mangrove restoration proves that protecting nature and supporting people can go hand in hand. If you’d like to contribute to ongoing projects in Maranhão and other biomes, consider a donation today. Every contribution helps plant, monitor, and maintain new areas while creating lasting opportunities for hundreds of families.