Educating to Protect: Audubon Americas and the Exhibition on Panama’s Mangroves
"The Mangroves: Allies Against Climate Change" traveling exhibition gives a detailed view on how mangroves store carbon and also protect biodiversity and the communities that depend on these ecosystems.
Mangroves, those dense and enigmatic forests found at the boundary between land and sea, play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. Through photosynthesis, these plants capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, storing it as carbon in their tissues and the soil. What makes mangroves so extraordinary is their ability to store significantly more carbon per hectare compared to other ecosystems, making them one of the most valuable natural resources in combating the global climate crisis.
On both coasts of Panama, in the Pacific and the Caribbean, mangroves stretch like a protective blanket, embracing the shores and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Since 2020, the Audubon Americas team, through the Blue Natural Heritage project (BNH), has explored the secrets of these coastal guardians, unveiling their multiple gifts. Thus, Panama’s mangroves have been recognized as indispensable allies in the battle against the global climate crisis.
To share the wisdom of these green giants, we have brought to life the traveling exhibition Mangroves: Allies Against Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of Panama and curated by the Biomuseo. This exhibit will travel across the country, bringing its message to Santiago, Chitré, Penonomé, and Panama City, to raise awareness about the vital impact of these coastal ecosystems on our lives, and especially the importance of protecting them.
A Collaborative Effort to Preserve Coastal Ecosystems
The exhibition is the result of three years of work by a multidisciplinary team of experts who make up the Blue Natural Heritage Project (BNH). Funded by the United Kingdom’s Blue Carbon Fund, managed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and implemented through a collaboration between Audubon Americas, its local partner Panama Audubon Society, and the Ministry of Environment of Panama, the BNH project has been at the forefront of coastal conservation.
The BNH project has been key in highlighting the carbon capture and storage capacity of mangroves, their economic valuation, and their importance in the global fight against climate change, supporting the government in strengthening policies to protect them.
The Mangroves: Allies Against Climate Change exhibition offers visitors a detailed view of how mangroves not only store carbon but also protect biodiversity and the communities that depend on these ecosystems, contributing to human well-being and the health of the planet.
Why Are Mangroves Important? Mangroves are much more than just trees; they are complete ecosystems that provide a variety of services to both nature and people.
As they explore the exhibition, visitors will learn how mangroves offer multiple benefits, as they also act as shields against storm surges and erosion, absorbing the energy of waves and reducing coastal damage; these ecosystems are essential for biodiversity as they purify water and provide habitats for a wide range of species, including migratory and resident birds, juvenile fish, and crustaceans that find refuge in their roots.
A Call to the Communities of Panama
Panama possesses the greatest variety of mangrove species in the Americas; 12 of the 65 non-hybrid species identified worldwide are found within its territory.
“One of the main goals of the exhibition is to engage communities across the country. We want Panamanians, from the youngest to the oldest, to understand the treasure that lies on their shores. By bringing this free exhibit to various corners of Panama, we seek to plant a seed of respect and admiration for mangroves in every heart,” explains Victor Cucalón, Executive Director of Biomuseo.
“At each stop, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the biodiversity that mangroves harbor, the economic benefits they provide to local communities, and the urgent need to preserve them in the face of the climate crisis. This exhibition not only educates but also inspires individuals to take concrete actions to protect mangroves and ensure their future,” adds Julio Montes de Oca, Director of Coastal Resilience for Audubon Americas.
An Invitation to Action
The Mangroves: Allies Against Climate Change exhibition is more than just a display; it is a call for reflection and to take action. At a critical time for our planet, understanding and protecting mangroves is an urgent task.