The coastal wetlands of Calabar South are facing an unprecedented ecological threat. From urban encroachment to oil pollution and the destructive felling of trees for firewood, the native mangrove forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.
But at the Ikot Ewa Effiom Esierebom community beach, the tide is beginning to turn. Led by the Biodiversity Rescue Club (BRC) Nigeria and supported globally by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Restoration Stewards program, a youth-driven movement is restoring both the ecosystem and community hope.
The Crisis in the Calabar Creeks
Mangroves are much more than just trees growing out of coastal mud—they are the lifeblood of our coastal economy and a critical shield against the climate crisis. Globally, they function as massive carbon sinks, capturing up to four times more carbon than tropical rainforests. Locally, they serve as the indispensable breeding grounds for commercially vital marine species.
Recent ecological surveys conducted by BRC within Calabar have confirmed a worrying trend: the massive disappearance of mangroves has led to direct shortages of seafood like crayfish, shrimp, and native fish. When the mangroves are cleared, local biodiversity loses its habitat, and the entire community becomes exposed to severe coastal erosion and seasonal flooding.
“Ecology is the Economy. The free ecological services provided by mangrove wetlands—from storm surge protection to sustaining local fisheries—are investments we cannot afford to lose.”
Mobilizing Esierebom: Action on the Ground
Through the backing of the GLF Restoration Stewards program, BRC targeted the highly degraded wetlands of the Esierebom community in Calabar South. The strategy balances direct ecological restoration with deep community integration.
1. Planting and Monitoring 3,000 Seedlings
Our volunteer team alongside community members successfully planted 3,000 native mangrove seedlings. To ensure this wasn’t just a one-day photo opportunity, BRC implemented tracking measures. Using the iNaturalist mobile application, our team regularly evaluates and logs the health, growth parameters, and survival rate of the newly planted seedlings.
2. Eradicating Invasive Species
A major component of our restoration framework involves reclaiming native ecosystems from the aggressive, invasive Nypa palms (Nypa fruticans). These palms choke out native flora, providing far fewer ecological benefits and disrupting the traditional fishing grounds.
3. Catching Them Young: Conservation Education
Restoration cannot survive without the next generation. BRC brought together over 119 children (ages 6–17) and local adults for interactive conservation education. Using storytelling, environmental games, film shows, and the distribution of customized educational notebooks, BRC is actively establishing active Conservation Clubs in local schools.
Measuring Our Impact
In less than a year since accelerating our field work under the Restoration Stewards banner, the results speak for themselves:
- Awareness Boom: A documented 50% increase in local community awareness regarding the vital importance of protecting and restoring mangrove habitats.
- Youth Mobilization: Partnerships with networks like Young Voices for a Greener Coast brought over 200 university students out to get dirty in the mud for climate action.
- Institutional Dialogues: Bringing together village heads, plant ecologists from the University of Calabar, and representatives from the Ministry of Environment to advocate for stricter environmental impact assessments.
Help Us Restore More Coasts
Our work in Esierebom proves that local, youth-led action can heal fractured ecosystems. However, the scale of degradation across Cross River State requires sustained effort. We face ongoing operational challenges in expanding our school clubs, conducting ecological excursions, and scaling up our invasive species clearing.
You can be a part of this story. Whether you want to volunteer on the ground in Calabar or partner with us institutionally, your support helps us return this borrowed planet to the next generation in better condition.
[Become a Biorescuer: Join Our Volunteer Network]
[Read our official feature on the Global Landscapes Forum website]