A team of young employees from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) recently swapped their desks for the mangrove forests of Kenya as they embarked on a mangrove study field trip.

As EPD presses on with its program to plant 1 million mangroves across the Kingdom’s East Coast over the next four years, the expedition provided the Saudi Aramco team with valuable insights into mangrove conservation — an important company initiative.

For 12 days, they joined volunteers from the UK, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya as they converged on Gazi Bay, where, just like the Kingdom, mangroves are a crucial element of the local ecosystem.

The trip was organized by UK based Earthwatch, a world renowned environmental charity. Earthwatch receive support from Saudi Aramco through its donation program.

Representing Saudi Aramco and the Kingdom were EPD members Ibrahim Al-Saihati, Muhammad Al-Yousaf and Muaiad Al-Turki.

During the course of the trip, the Saudi Aramco group participated in planting mangroves, conducting field research and collecting scientific data.

The group also received presentations from international mangrove and environmental experts that were often delivered in the field under the shade of mangroves trees.
For the EPD team, the expedition was proof that mangrove conservation is a worldwide concern. Saudi Aramco’s mangrove plantation achievements are part of a global effort to preserve mangroves, which are an essential part of the world’s ecosystems.

The group also noted that mangrove degradation in Kenya is similar to the problems facing the Kingdom’s mangrove habitats.

The expedition reinforced the importance of mangrove ecosystems for human well-being, particularly as a coastline storm protection barrier and their valuable role for the fisheries industry and eco-tourism development.

The EPD group was given the opportunity to present Saudi Aramco’s mangrove conservation efforts to the other participants; eliciting positive feedback and suggestions.

Saudi Aramco’ own mangrove conservation program is spread across four sites in the Eastern Province. Each site will receive 60,000 mangroves annually. After five years, about 1.2 million mangroves will have been planted.

Also, the company has begun the ground work for the Kingdom’s and the region’s first mangrove Eco-park in Ras Tanura. The park is scheduled to be established in 2014 and will cover an area of 62 square kilometers and will include an elevated boardwalk.