Waterkeepers Bahamas proudly marked the conclusion of its 2025-2026 mangrove planting season with a highly successful community restoration event, “Everything Must Plant,” held at Dover Sound. With the support of dedicated volunteers, partners, and community members, approximately 4,000 mangroves
were planted in just two hours, helping to strengthen Grand Bahama’s coastal ecosystems and
enhance climate resilience.
The event brought together environmental organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, community groups, and residents, all united by a shared commitment to protecting and restoring The Bahamas’ vital mangrove habitats.
“Mangrove restoration is truly a community effort, and this event demonstrated what we can achieve when people come together for a common purpose,” said Javan Hunt, Special Projects Coordinator and Mangrove Nursery Manager at Waterkeepers Bahamas. “Planting 4,000 propagules in just two hours is an incredible accomplishment, but the real impact will be seen for years to come as these mangroves grow, stabilize our shorelines, provide habitat for wildlife, and help protect our communities from the effects of climate change. We are extremely grateful to every volunteer, partner, and supporter who made this event possible.”
Waterkeepers Bahamas extends its sincere gratitude to all of the organizations and volunteers who contributed to the day’s success, including the University of The Bahamas; Grand Bahama Shipyard; Blue Action Lab; Kiwanis Club; Bishop Michael Eldon School; Keep Grand Bahama Clean; Waterkeepers Bahamas Cadets; Bahamas Forestry Department; Department of Meteorology; Bonefish & Tarpon Trust; Buccaneers Baseball Club and Project Planet 242.
The organization also recognizes the many community members who responded to event outreach and generously volunteered their time and energy to support the restoration effort. A special acknowledgment goes to the Waterkeepers Bahamas team, whose months of planning, coordination, propagule collection, and site preparation ensured the event’s success.
As the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, Waterkeepers Bahamas will pause its planting activities in accordance with best practices for coastal restoration. The organization will now transition into its annual propagule collection season, gathering mangrove propagules over the coming months to support future restoration projects across The Bahamas.
“The end of planting season marks the beginning of another important phase of our restoration work,” said Chesna Cox, Environmental Science Coordinator at Waterkeepers Bahamas. “The propagules we collect over the next several months will become the foundation for future restoration efforts. Every propagule collected, nurtured, and eventually planted represents an investment in healthier ecosystems, stronger coastlines, and a more resilient Bahamas. We encourage the public to continue supporting these efforts and to stay engaged as we prepare for the next planting season.”
The successful conclusion of this planting season represents another important step in Waterkeepers Bahamas’ ongoing mission to restore mangrove ecosystems, strengthen coastlines, improve water quality, and build more resilient communities.
For more information and to find out how you can support our programs, visit http://www.waterkeepersbahamas.org or email us at connect@waterkeepersbahamas.org.
