Sagicor Visionaries Challenge Design Proposal Outline
Title: Caye Caulker Mangrove Action Plan
Caye Caulker Ocean Academy
Ocean Academy Drive,
Caye Caulker,
Belize District
226-0321
Team Members: Buddy Magana, Daya Ramos, Adrienne Rogers, Kenisha Veliz, Patrick Lorenzo
Teacher: Sarah Requena
Mentors: Ellen McRae, Mercedes Requena, Jamal Boiton
Abstract
Caye Caulker Mangrove Action Plan
This project is being submitted by the Environmental Club of Ocean Academy, a small school nestled amongst mangroves on Caye Caulker. In our classes we have learned that mangroves are among the most important ecosystems on the planet. Mangroves are important to its inhabitants: juvenile reef and commercial species, birds and reptiles; and interact synergistically with the adjacent coral reef ecosystem. Mangroves also protect the coast from erosion. However mangroves are facing immense reduction due to deforestation for coastal development.
For years, people have seen mangroves as an ugly bush that needs to be cleared to create beaches and an ocean view. The importance of mangroves to the environment and the community has not been well known or understood by either the local population or foreigners.
Our plan is to address this problem through education, reforestation and interactive involvement. The first part of our plan involves educating the public about the importance of mangroves to the environment and the local economy. We also plan to work with the Village Council to understand the laws concerning mangroves and encourage a reforestation program whenever mangroves are removed.
We will experiment with different planting methods to determine the most effective techniques for our community. Finally, we are creating an interactive smart phone app that will allow people to learn about mangroves, see pictures of our mangrove planting experiments and add photographs of the growing plants. Our ultimate goal is to increase the awareness of the importance of mangroves and reduce mangrove deforestation.

Problem Statement and Significance of the Problem
Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow in coastal marine habitats. These plants have been disregarded for years. People have seen mangroves as unimportant, ugly bush that needs to be cleared away to create beaches and an ocean view. Mangroves are also removed for land reclamation and development. Although the law prohibits the removal of mangroves without a permit, many people ignore the rules and cut or remove mangroves at will.
The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. Mangroves are important to its many inhabitants: juvenile reef fish, commercially valuable species, invertebrates, birds and reptiles. This ecosystem also interacts synergistically with the surrounding ecosystems, namely the sea grass beds and coral reefs. The mangrove ecosystem provides a barrier between the coral reef and the coastline; filtering run-off sediment and pollution, improving water quality and protecting the coast from erosion. Mangroves are intertwined with the health of the coral reef as a support habitat, in which the shallow calm protected waters between the prop roots of red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) act as a nursery for juvenile reef fish and key commercial species such as lobster and crab. In these functions the health and productivity of the mangrove ecosystem directly affects the reef populations and its health. Many birds including migratory and water birds roost and nest in the mangroves, these birds in turn provide seed dispersal to coastal and littoral forest flora and act as important predators in the intertidal zone. However due to the immense deforestation for coastal development these ecosystems are also threatened.
Mangrove deforestation is a significant problem in our community. The loss of mangroves is equivalent to the loss of the very land on which we live. It can also mean the loss of our livelihood as we are a community whose economic base is in fishing and tourism. Mangrove protection is essential for the survival of our community.

Approach or Proposed Solution
Our plan is to address the issue mangrove deforestation through education, replanting and interactive involvement. The initial project should take 6 months to a year to establish and we hope it would then continue as a community program.
In the initial phase of the project, Ocean Academy students would begin an education campaign targeting the residents of Caye Caulker. In the past, foreign visitors and residents have conducted periodic lectures to islanders about mangroves. Many people are reluctant to change an established behaviour, such as cutting mangroves, when it is requested by foreigners. We feel that our campaign can be more successful because it is coming from the young people of Caye Caulker. The Environmental
Club is working with the art students of Ocean Academy to create attractive posters that highlight the wildlife and commercial fish species that depend on mangroves. The posters will also have catchy slogans to emphasize the economic importance of mangroves. These posters would be displayed throughout the community and in the schools. We would also set up a booth at Caye Caulker Lobster
Fest in June with our posters, any data already collected, mangrove information and fun activities.
People are often motivated by money; if we can show that intact mangroves are worth more than a clear lot, they are more likely to leave them on their land.
The second phase of our project is the actual planting of mangroves, specifically the red mangrove. We will follow the Modified Riley Encasement method of mangrove planting. In this technique, 2”wide PVC pipe is cut into segments which are then slit lengthwise. A red mangrove propagule is then inserted into the tube and the tube is pressed into the muddy ground at the water’s edge. In the initial experimental phase, we will work with FAMRACC and Ellen McRae to find suitable test sites on South Caye Caulker and try different lengths of PVC pipe. We plan to test sheltered and open areas to determine the most successful locations. Each planting site will be GPS marked for follow up. The planted trees will be monitored biweekly and measured. If we have a satisfactory success rate with the initial samples we will begin trials with other mangrove species, namely the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and the white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa). If the mangroves do not thrive in these locations, new sites will be scouted and the trials repeated.
Also during this phase we will meet with the Caye Caulker Village Council. Mangrove Forest regulation is covered in Chapter 213 of the Laws of Belize but we have been informed by the CCVC that most people do not follow these rules. This is a serious problem for them because they know the mangroves need to be protected to prevent island erosion and keep fish populations healthy. They have already expressed an interest in working with us to create a mitigation plan. Any landowner who applies for a permit to cut mangroves or who removes mangroves without a permit will be encouraged to contribute to the replanting program. Landowners would then agree to fund the planting of ‘replacement’ mangroves in a separate location. Choosing suitable locations would be based on the results of the experimental phase of our plan. Initially this would be a volunteer program but it is hoped that the law could eventually be amended to include a mitigation fee in the mangrove removal application. If such a law is passed this could become a self-sustaining program with the collected funds covering the cost of the PVC pipes, gasoline and labour.

The technology part of our project involves creating an interactive app for smart phones that would be available through Google Play. One of our team members took a course on app making, coding and programming. He is already working with an OA alumnus to create an app that would provide information about the mangrove species found in Belize. The app will contain the GPS co-ordinates of our experimental mangrove propagules. Users of the app can then go to the site and check on the status of the plant. It will be interactive in that users can take pictures of the growing mangroves and add them to the app. Over time we will have a large database of photographs that tracks the growth of mangroves. This information will be very useful in selecting the best sites for the actual replanting efforts. Proceeds from app sales will go towards mangrove planting supplies.
It is hoped that our multi-tiered approach will lead to more people appreciating the important role that mangroves play in our lives and will become active in the preservation and promotion of these beautiful plants.
The Competition
In our community, the Forest and Marine Reserve of Caye Caulker (FAMRACC) works to maintain a reserve area on the north piece of Caye Caulker with a healthy mangrove and littoral forest ecosystem.
We feel our project will work well with what FAMRACC is already doing. While we will work with
FAMRACC in the north at their established sites, we have also selected some experimental replanting sites on the south island that can be more easily monitored by residents and visitors. We also hope to educate people as to the important economic value of mangroves so that everyone feels vested in the preservation effort. This approach contrasts the traditional environmental approach that often alienates the local population. We will not be trying to work against other Caye Caulker institutions but rather cooperatively to meet a common goal of mangrove preservation.

Resources Needed
Major Resources Needed Approximate Cost (USD)
PVC, 2” inner diameter, 20’long (makes 15 tubes) $16.45 per length
6-8 gallons of gas per trip to the CC Forest Reserve $35-50 per trip
Spray paint (to ID and label tubes)
Fee for app availability through Google Play
$10
$25
Poster printing and lamination
GPS (borrowed from boat captain)
Boat and Captain -transportation to and from planting sites
Field Supervisor - expertise on site selection, amount of replanting needed
Village Council Member -recommends who can get a permit to cut mangroves and suggested replanting requirements
$100-150
Timetable
Task Performed by
Make and distribute posters OA students
Create OA Mangrove app
Preparation of experimental planting tubes
Selection of experimental planting sites
Collection of propagules and planting of mangroves in test sites
Monitor viability and growth of planted specimens
Meet with CCVC to establish mitigation guidelines and discuss experimentation results
Mitigation planting
Buddy Magana,
Jamal Boiton
OA students, OA alumni
OA students and teacher, Ellen
McRae, CCVC
OA students and teacher, Ellen
McRae, CCVC
OA Students
OA students and teacher, CCVC
OA Students, Field
Supervisor, Boat
Captain
Preparation of Lobster Fest booth
OA Students and teacher, other volunteers
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Month
2
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3
Month
4
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Month
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Or later
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Use of STEM
This project incorporates all the components of STEM. Firstly, understanding the mangrove ecosystem and experimentation to determine the best planting techniques is environmental science. Using GPS to find our sites and the smart phone app bring technology into our project. The Modified Riley
Encasement Method for mangrove planting involving PVC pipe is engineering. Finally, math will be used in the data collection (% success rate and growth) of the planted mangrove propagules.
Community Involvement
The Caye Caulker Mangrove Action Plan would be a true community project. In the early stages the high school students, staff and alumni, the village council and FAMRACC would be the most involved. If the project is established, then many community members would be involved in monitoring and planting mangroves. Once the planting sites have been established and a field supervisor is available the actual planting can be done by primary school students, tourists and anyone else who was interested.
This project would benefit the community in many ways. By protecting mangroves today, we are preserving the land for the future. Without the stabilizing mangrove roots, Caye Caulker could be severely eroded in a storm. Caye Caulker was initially founded as a fishing community. In the early days the mangroves were plentiful and so were the fish and lobster. Today we have a lot less of both. If we preserve the mangroves that remain and actively plant more, we will strengthen the commercial species populations for today and for the next generation. Finally, tourists visiting this island are looking for a unique Caribbean experience. A healthy mangrove ecosystem means a healthy coral reef abundant with colourful fish and invertebrates. Every tourist who has a positive experience on Caye Caulker shares stories that lead to more visitors. And on Caye Caulker, visitors equal income and a thriving economy.
References
Salgado, Kent C.P. (1999) A comparison of Riley encased methodology and traditional techniques for planting red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), Mangroves and Salt Marshes, 3, 215-225
Nagelkerken, I., G. van der Velde, M.W. Gorissen, G.J. Meijer, T. van’t Hof and C. den Hartog (2000)
Importance of Mangroves, Seagrass Beds and the Shallow Coral Reef as a Nursery for Important Coral
Reef Fishes, Using a Visual Census Technique, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 51, 31-44.
Laws of Belize, The Subsidiary Laws of Belize (Revised Edition 2013) Forests (Protection of Mangroves)
Regulations, Chapter 213