In countries like Brazil, mangroves are a guardian against the impacts of climate change, and a source of food and livelihoods. But overdevelopment, pollution and harmful human activity put mangroves in danger. We cannot protect the world’s mangroves without the leadership of the communities who live in them and depend on them.
The Mothers of the Mangrove is a Brazilian network of women leaders, guarding Amazonian mangroves and all they provide for local communities. The group has over 600 members, creating a network that stretches across 37 communities and 12 RESEXES (marine extractive reserves). The Mothers of the Mangroves have made mangrove protection part of their identity, a tradition passed down through generations.