Mangrove Reforestation

This weekend I took a bit of a "working vacation" and went to Toubacouta with 21 other volunteers from the Kaolack region to work with local residents on a mangrove reforestation project. We got to Toubacouta late Saturday afternoon and headed directly for a water front campement for some cold beers and some diving off of the dock. Sunday morning was down to business, up to our knees in muck and mud sticking these oddly shaped seeds "butt down" into the tidal basin.

Mangroves are a type of amphibious tree that is found throughout the Saloum delta in Senegal and helps prevent soil erosion and provide habitat for fish, oysters, herons and (supposedly) otters, flamingos and manatees. A combination of human destruction and climate change have caused a significant decline in Senegal's mangrove forests over the last 50 years, but people here are slowly starting to realize their importance and do something about it. We spent about 3 hours at low tide (and consequently high noon) combating deforestation with over 60 local residents, here are a few of the best pictures:

Sunset over the water and a view of the dock

Ladies sorting out mangrove seeds

Mangrove seeds and muddy feet

Butt down in the ground

Mangrove seedling

PCVs and work and the tide coming in

Mangroves

Par for the course for Senegalese transport