Dr. Simpson Receives Grant for Mangrove Restoration Project

Dr. Lorae' Simpson, a postdoc in the Cherry Lab, and Steve Canty of the Smithsonian Marine Conservation Program received a $75,000 grant through the Getch Foundation to work in partnership with the University of Belize and the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) on “Mangrove restoration and the potential of blue carbon in the Mesoamerican reef ecoregion.” The overall goal of their project is to support and enhance mangrove restoration projects within the Mesoamerican reef ecoregion. Specific aims include: 1) determining the feasibility and value of blue carbon credit schemes to local communities and the potential to provide funding for restoration efforts; 2) providing tools to monitor project success; 3) identifying whether or not genetic diversity of mangrove forests is lost during the restoration process; and 4) assessing the fish nursery role of restored mangrove forests. 

Red mangrove trees along the coast