The Tribune

WATERKEEPERS Bahamas and local volunteers planted about 4,000 mangrove propagules at Dover Sound this month, marking the end of its 2025-2026 planting season.

The community restoration event, called "Everything Must Plant," was held on June 11 and brought together environmental groups, government agencies, students, community organisations, and residents.

Javan Hunt, special projects coordinator and mangrove nursery manager at Waterkeepers Bahamas, said the turnout showed the importance of community involvement in environmental restoration.

“Mangrove restoration is truly a community effort, and this event demonstrated what we can achieve when people come together for a common purpose,” Mr. Hunt said.

He said the newly planted mangroves will help stabilize shorelines, provide habitat for wildlife, and offer protection against the effects of climate change.

Waterkeepers Bahamas thanked the volunteers and organizations that participated in the planting exercise, including the University of The Bahamas, Grand Bahama Shipyard, Blue Action Lab, Kiwanis Club, Bishop Michael Eldon School, Keep Grand Bahama Clean, the Bahamas Forestry Department, the Department of Meteorology, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Buccaneers Baseball Club, and Project Planet 242.

The organization also acknowledged community residents who volunteered their time and members of its own team who spent months collecting propagules, preparing the site, and coordinating the event.

With the Atlantic hurricane season now underway, Waterkeepers Bahamas will suspend planting activities and begin its annual propagule collection programme.

Chesna Cox, environmental science coordinator at Waterkeepers Bahamas, said the next phase of work is critical to future restoration efforts.

“The propagules we collect over the next several months will become the foundation for future restoration efforts,” Ms. Cox said.

She said every propagule collected and planted contributes to healthier ecosystems, stronger coastlines and a more resilient Bahamas.

Waterkeepers Bahamas said the end of the planting season marks another step in its efforts to restore mangrove habitats, improve water quality and strengthen coastal communities throughout the country.