A recent study evaluated the effectiveness of Play for the Mangroves, Seacology’s program to increase awareness and support of mangrove conservation in the Dominican Republic by linking it to popular youth sports. The study, conducted by Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) in collaboration with our Dominican partner organization Grupo Jaragua, measured the impact of youth workshops focused on the ecological role of mangroves. The study’s aim was to determine whether these workshops improved knowledge, attitudes, and behavior towards mangrove conservation in the community.

Key findings of the study indicate that the workshops successfully increased support for mangrove protection, with effects lasting up to 21 months after the program. Youths who participated in the workshops reported gaining a deeper understanding of the ecological benefits of mangroves, as well as viewing them as valuable natural resources. The study also discovered ripple effects throughout the community, including more positive attitudes toward mangroves among parents and peers who did not directly attend the workshops. 

Click to view the summary in English or Spanish.

Play for the Mangroves began as part of our nationwide mangrove-conservation initiative in the Dominican Republic. It provides young baseball and volleyball players with equipment and uniforms, and organizes teams and competitions. Under the program, these youths also participate in hands-on environmental education and conservation activities in their local mangrove forests, planting trees, cleaning up trash, and observing wildlife. Following Play for the Mangroves’ success in the DR, we’ve started to adapt it to other countries including the Philippines.