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Children Become “Little Guardians of the Mangrove” in Naranjal
Cantón Naranjal, Ecuador – May 2025
With laughter, curiosity, and their feet in the mangrove mud, on May 26, 28, and 29, students from Eugenio Espejo School (Santa Rosa de Flandes) and José María Urbina School (6 de Julio) were part of an initiative that connected children, teachers, and mothers with one of the most valuable and threatened ecosystems in the region: the mangroves of the Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve.
Through games, participatory talks, and an interpretive field trip led by members of the 6 de JulioCrabbers Association, participants explored the mangrove’s biodiversity, its vital role as a carbon sink in mitigating climate change, and its cultural and economic significance for local communities.
One of the most meaningful moments was the testimony of Luis López, President of the Association and ancestral user of the mangrove, who shared his life story deeply rooted in this ecosystem. “To know the mangrove is to love, respect, and protect it,” he stated, encouraging students to value the traditional knowledge passed down through generations and become active defenders of their territory.
Verónica Minaya, Officer of the Natural Sciences Sector at UNESCO in Ecuador, emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering environmental awareness from an early age. “Every child has the opportunity to make a personal commitment to their environment. Educating for sustainability is educating for life,” she said.
The workshop not only sparked scientific curiosity and emotional connection among students, but also strengthened the ties between school, community, and nature. In UNESCO’s vision, these activities show that when education is rooted in the land, enriched by science, and nourished by local knowledge, it becomes a powerful driver of social transformation.
For it is there —among roots, propagules, and the voices of the mangrove— that the true guardians of tomorrow are born.
