Course

Tropical restoration projects for the people: learning by doing in the Gulf of Mexico

Organizer(s):

 This course has the general objective of learning the pre-feasibility, feasibility, planning and implementation of mangrove and flooded forest conservation and restoration projects focused on obtaining carbon credits through the application of nature-based solutions. The specific objectives are: 1) to understand how to integrate the main components of pre-feasibility and feasibility of carbon projects, 2) to learn how to plan and implement carbon projects of mangrove and flood forest restoration, 3) to apply digital skills and instruments during the project implementation, and 4) to communicate science data and obtain public engagement in relation to project implementation. Thus, this course is aimed towards to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral and consolidated researchers, and staff of NGO’s and decision makers. It is a presential course; only a personal laptop and a notebook are required. In order to explain and make different examples to apply digital instruments, we will take as study case the carbon project entitled “Mangroves for Life”, which is implemented in the Alvarado Lagoon System (ALS), which has the objective to restore 2,037 ha of mangroves and flooded forests. The ALS is located in the Papaloapan river basin, the second most important in Mexico due to its surface and flow, in Veracruz, in the Gulf of Mexico. The expected outcomes are: 1) to know how to design canals to protect restoration versus fire, 2) to learn how to design the “chinampas” to protect restoration versus fire and enhance the mangroves and flood forests regeneration, 3) to know how to include local people and land owners to participate in carbon projects.