A Best-Practice Guide for Practitioners and Researchers
This guide is designed to assist mangrove researchers and practitioners in incorporating Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) into their projects. LEK encompasses the knowledge, practices, and beliefs acquired through extensive personal observation and interaction with local ecosystems. It is shared among local resource users, often indigenous communities, and is typically passed down through generations. In this groundbreaking study, we delve into how researchers have successfully integrated LEK specific to mangroves, offering best practices for engaging with and harnessing the power of LEK in mangrove restoration and conservation. The guide showcases over twenty case studies from around the world, highlighting the diverse applications of LEK in mangrove projects.
Find the handbook abstract and related DOI.
Greening the Blue Initiative
The awarded Restoration Stewards of 2023, Levis Sirikwa, is the lead author of Case Study 14 on pages 119-122. With over five years of experience, he actively restores mangroves and leads sustainable agriculture and community empowerment projects in Kenya’s blue economy. As co-founder of Ceriops Research Environmental Organization, he manages Casina Farms, Mikoko na Jamii, and Mangrove Buddy, all grounded in community empowerment, sustainable development, and data-driven approaches.
In his article, he describes the Greening the Blue as a unique mangrove restoration model that prioritizes understanding the local context for conserving and restoring blue ecosystems. Recognizing extensive mangrove degradation in Tudor Creek (Mwakirunge), Kenya, over the past decades, the initiative views conservation and restoration as an art. This art is eloquently expressed by the local people, who have interacted with the ecosystem for millennia. Documenting the successful restoration of half a hectare of degraded mangrove landscape, the project highlights the key pathways through which Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) played a crucial role in achieving success. Emphasizing the significance of the community-based ecological mangrove restoration (CBEMR) approach, the Greening the Blue Initiative serves as a source of inspiration for best practices, ensuring sustainable restoration efforts in the project area.
