Sport as a Force for Good: Seacology’s Mission To Engage the Next Generation of Environment Champions
“Kids from the initiative will text me wondering how the local wildlife is keeping,” the ‘Play for the Mangroves’ Program Coordinator at Seacology says. “They ask about the mangroves they’ve planted; that’s how I know they’re really engaged.”
To understand why thousands of sports-mad youngsters in the Dominican Republic are engaging with their local environment, we need to take a few steps back.
Mangrove destruction
Ismael, a native-born Dominican and ecologist who is featured in the film Operation Restoration: Roots [at the top of this page], has witnessed the continued degradation of his homeland for decades. The essential mangrove forests that he used to play in as a boy, the very ones that provide vital ecological benefits to island communities, have been chopped down at an alarming rate to make way for new infrastructure.
“They’re one of the most threatened ecosystems because people don’t understand their importance,” he says. “We have excellent environmental laws in the Dominican Republic, but their enforcement is inconsistent.
“The lack of regulation has led to significant environmental degradation, especially of mangrove ecosystems, and it will take collaboration to change this.”
Now, though, through Seacology’s forward-thinking approach to conservation, there is renewed hope as the next generation of young people become proactively engaged in the conversation.
“Kids ask about the mangroves they’ve planted; that’s how I know they’re really engaged.”
Seacology is inspiring change
Seacology is a grantee of 11th Hour Racing, and their Play for the Mangroves initiative is a nationwide program in the Dominican Republic that combines mangrove conservation with sports like baseball and volleyball. While at first glance, these sports may seem unrelated to sustainable initiatives such as planting mangroves, appealing to the cultural identities of island communities is proving to be a home run in the fight to conserve unique island ecosystems.
“Baseball and volleyball are like cult sports here, aspirations are high and the whole community is engaged,” Ismael says.
“Through providing equipment, kit, and various training materials, we can present environmental conservation as a way to deepen the relationship with their teammates while also improving their training conditions.
“The result is that you create long-term commitment from these kids and, by proxy, their family, neighbors, and wider circle.”
Impact on islands around the world
At Seacology, every project is tailored to a community's specific needs, creating a clever model for environmental conservation and education. As the ongoing climate crisis intensifies, coastal island populations find themselves on the frontline. Rising sea levels and extreme weather, to name a few, alongside man-made afflictions such as unregulated development, have had unprecedented impacts.
“Our mission is protecting the unique ecosystems or habitats and the cultures of islands worldwide,” explains Erin Coyne, Institutional Giving Officer at Seacology.
“We focus solely on all types of islands all over the world and we’ve worked on islands in 70 countries already.”
“Mangroves are one of the most threatened ecosystems because people don’t understand their importance.”
Seacology plans to restore 66,700 acres of mangroves through the Play for the Mangroves initiative and by the end of 2024, they anticipate engaging with more than 4,800 children in their restoration efforts.
While every project Seacology focuses on is unique, they all follow the same basic model: there must be a benefit for the environment and a benefit for the community.
"Our mission is protecting the unique ecosystems or habitats and the cultures of islands worldwide."
“We partner with island communities that have committed to protect their natural resources and in return, we offer help via things like schools, health clinics, or training for sustainable livelihoods,” outlines Erin.
“The project terms and objectives always come directly from the community - we just facilitate and help them make it happen.”
Operation Restoration is a new five-part film series that highlights five of 11th Hour Racing’s remarkable ecosystem restoration grantees. Through the eyes of those on the front lines, we'll share their passion, determination, and the impact of their work in restoring the planet’s balance.
Watch Operation Restoration: Roots as well as the full series on YouTube now.
Header image credit: ©Corinna Halloran/11th Hour Racing
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Jamie Haines, sailor “I grew up on the ocean, and in order to protect it, we need to solve the climate crisis. It all goes hand in hand.”
Ian Walsh, big wave surfer “As athletes, ocean health and sustainability are at the heart of what we do – without the ocean, we wouldn’t be here.”
Steve Benjamin, filmmaker “I really want people to fall in love with the ocean, to appreciate it more, and to try to alter their behavior around it. Everything ends up in the ocean, and it’s such a dumping ground for humanity. My hope is that people see the ocean as a living entity that needs to be protected.”
Amory Ross, storyteller “How can I describe the ocean? The ocean is impossible to describe because it is endless; it is full of life, wonder, and mystery.”
