On Saturday, February 28, the Mangrove+ Project facilitated an awareness activity, in collaboration with Forest Service-Nature Conservation Division (NDC) in Nickerie of the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, held a Youth Awareness Session with children from Children’s Home Open Poort. As one of UNDP’s core principles is to leave no one behind, the Children’s Home Open Poort, which provides shelter to disenfranchised children, was chosen to ensure their inclusion in educational and environmental awareness initiatives.

The group of 20 children started with a short movie providing insights into the lives of leatherback turtle and challenges it faces to survive due to human intervention and natural environmental circumstances, and the importance to protect their living and breeding environments. Currently this species of turtle is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as vulnerable. The session progressed with presentations regarding the different mangroves present in Suriname and expanded on the animals, like the leatherback turtle depending on mangrove ecosystem services to survive. Besides the leatherback turtle, the mangrove ecosystems are also important for other animals such as the orange winged amazon.

The second half of this youth awareness session involved crafts activities in which the children made paper macaw birds and ended with paintings, where they could express their understanding regarding the session.

Mr. Djemiro Harpal, volunteer at children’s home Open Poort, shared that “activities such as this help enhance the children’s understanding on the importance of protecting the mangrove forest “I’m sure that these children will share what they have learned with their friends and adults”. 

This joined effort demonstrates the impact of inclusive partnerships in strengthening environmental awareness among the youth. By nurturing understanding and curiosity at a young age, activities like these help empower children to become future advocates for the protection of Suriname’s mangrove ecosystems. Through continued collaboration, the project supports resilient communities that value and safeguard Suriname’s mangrove landscapes.

The Mangrove+ Project is funded by the European Union, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Suriname in collaboration with the Government of Suriname.