An Interview with ThinkOcean's "Mangroves Matter Toolkit" Creators
Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems that serve as natural barriers against storms, support rich biodiversity, and act as significant carbon sinks. Despite their importance, mangroves face threats from deforestation, urban development, and climate change. Recognising the need for increased awareness and action, a team of young conservationists from ThinkOcean collaborated to create "Mangroves Matter Toolkit," an educational resource designed to empower youth worldwide in mangrove conservation efforts.
In this interview, we feature three key contributors to this initiative: Shubhangi Thakur, Executive Director of ThinkOcean; Ajay Sawant, President of ThinkOcean; and Annabel Fierro, Education Officer at ThinkOcean. While not part of this interview, Mariam Tawila, an Education Officer from Egypt, also made significant contributions to the toolkit's development.
Together, they transformed a shared vision into the "Mangroves Matter Toolkit," aiming to inspire and equip the next generation of environmental stewards. In this conversation, they discuss the project's inception, the collaborative process, and their hopes for its impact on global conservation efforts.
From left to right: Shubhangi Thakur, Ajay Sawant, Annabel Fierro and Mariam Tawila
What inspired the idea for the Mangroves Matter Toolkit, and how did it evolve from concept to reality?
Shubhangi: The idea for the Mangroves Matter Toolkit sparked during a conversation with Anthony about his vision for a mangrove seedling plantation drive in Cameroon. I had no prior knowledge, but the more I learned about the importance of mangroves—not just as ecosystems but as solutions to climate challenges—the more excited I became about creating something tangible to engage young people. Once the team in Cameroon executed Phase I of the drive, we thought, why not take it a step further and create a toolkit written and designed by young people, for young people? We wanted it to be practical, relatable, and something that could empower others to take action in their communities.
Ajay: The concept for the Mangroves Matter Toolkit emerged from our collective experiences and a widespread lack of understanding about the critical role mangroves play in coastal ecosystems. Recognizing this gap, we wanted to develop a resource that would not only educate but also empower young people to take meaningful action. What started as a vague idea grew into a comprehensive toolkit through collaboration, creativity, and shared dedication.
Annabel: The idea stemmed from our prior mangrove restoration work in Cameroon and the education team’s deep understanding of mangroves' role in coastal resilience. Our goal was to enhance ocean literacy and equip young people with the knowledge and tools to make a difference. The toolkit serves as both an educational resource and an action-oriented guide, ensuring that awareness translates into tangible conservation efforts.
What makes the Mangroves Matter Toolkit unique or impactful?
Shubhangi: The fact that it brought together people from across the globe to create something truly meaningful! Our project implementation team in Cameroon worked tirelessly on the ground. Annabel contributed from the US as an educational officer and writer, Carmen from Guatemala designed the toolkit, and Ajay and I worked from India to tie everything together. It wasn’t just about aligning time zones—it was about merging perspectives, cultures, and ideas to build something impactful. Seeing an idea that started small grow into a global collaboration is incredible, and we hope the toolkit inspires others to take meaningful action in their own communities.
Ajay: The most impactful feature, in my opinion, is its focus on empowering young people to take tangible actions. It’s not just about sharing facts; it’s about inspiring change. The toolkit combines engaging visuals, interactive activities, and practical steps that anyone can take to support mangrove conservation. That blend of education and action makes it stand out.
Annabel: The toolkit’s interdisciplinary approach makes it unique. It provides not just educational materials but also clear, actionable steps for young people to engage in mangrove restoration. The diversity of voices involved in its creation ensures that it can be adapted and implemented worldwide, strengthening global conservation efforts.
What impact do you hope the Mangroves Matter Toolkit will have on global conservation efforts?
Shubhangi: I hope the toolkit becomes a catalyst for empowering young people to take active roles in conservation. The vision was to make mangrove restoration and protection more accessible and actionable for youth, no matter where they are in the world. Ultimately, we aim to create a ripple effect where small, localised efforts build into a collective global impact that strengthens the fight against climate change.
Ajay: I hope this toolkit sparks a youth-led movement around mangrove conservation. Beyond raising awareness, my aspiration is for it to inspire young leaders to launch local initiatives and advocate for policy changes. Mangroves are a keystone ecosystem, and if we can mobilize the next generation to protect them, we’ll be contributing significantly to global climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Annabel: I believe local youth groups hold immense power to bring their communities together for the global cause of ocean conservation. My hope is that this toolkit not only educates but also provides young people with the confidence and resources to take action, just as we saw with the Cameroon initiative.
If you could add one dream feature to the next version of the toolkit, what would it be?
Shubhangi: A mapping tool that helps identify areas most in need of mangrove restoration, using data like soil quality, tidal patterns, etc. Pairing this with customisable templates for creating advocacy campaigns could make the toolkit even more impactful. We want it to be more than just a resource—we’d love for it to be a platform for real-world action and innovation.
Ajay: A virtual reality experience that allows users to explore mangrove ecosystems up close. Imagine being able to navigate through dense mangrove forests, witness their biodiversity, and understand their role in coastal protection—all from your home.
Annabel: A mentorship program where youth in Cameroon who have completed successful mangrove restoration efforts could advise another youth group from a different country. Facilitating cross-regional collaboration could scale up conservation efforts globally.
What’s your favourite way to unwind after working on an intense project like this?
Shubhangi: To be honest, I unwind on a daily basis! But after wrapping up a big project, my favorite thing to do is sleep for a solid 10–12 hours straight. Nothing beats that!
Ajay: I like to reconnect with nature—going for a hike or spending time outdoors always helps me recharge. When I can’t get outside, I turn to sketching, which lets me clear my mind and refocus.
Annabel: I love going to the beach and swimming in the ocean! The ocean is my happy place and a big reason I got into conservation in the first place. Enjoying these ecosystems firsthand always recharges me.
What advice would you give to young people looking to create their own conservation projects?
Shubhangi: First off, yay for making the effort—it’s such a meaningful step forward! My biggest advice is to approach this journey with patience and perseverance. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s okay. The seeds you plant today might take weeks, months, or even years to bear fruit, but trust that you’re working toward something that truly matters.
Second, don’t let challenges or slow progress wear you down. We all share the dream of making this world a better place, but it happens one step at a time. Focus on what you can do now and celebrate every small win along the way.
Most importantly, don’t go at it alone. Conservation thrives on collective energy and diverse perspectives. Collaborate and involve as many young people as possible—whether it’s through advocacy, community engagement, or storytelling. Together, you can achieve so much more than you ever could alone. You’ve got this!
Ajay: Start small, but think big. You don’t need to solve everything at once—focus on a specific issue you’re passionate about and build from there.
Annabel: Find a community of like-minded individuals who can support you in your conservation work. This field can be both draining and incredibly rewarding, so surrounding yourself with a strong network makes all the difference.
If you could travel anywhere in the world to explore mangroves, where would it be and why?
Shubhangi: Cameroon, hands down! I’d love to see the mangrove seedlings our team has planted and witness their growth up close. More than that, it would be incredible to finally meet the amazing ThinkOcean Cameroon team we’ve been working with over Zoom all these years and experience the conservation work firsthand.
Ajay: The Sundarbans in India! They’re the largest mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seeing them in person would be a dream.
Annabel: Indonesia! It has some of the most incredible mangroves in the world, with amazing biodiversity. Since 20% of the world’s mangroves are found there, it’s at the top of my bucket list.
View the Mangroves Matter Toolkit
