KAUST launches first school-based mangrove nursery in the Middle East to empower youth and restore coastal ecosystems
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has launched the KAUST Mangrove Nursery, the first school-based mangrove nursery in the Middle East.
The project, developed through a collaboration between KAUST Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), The KAUST School (TKS), and KAUST Social Responsibility, aims to instill environmental stewardship in young learners while contributing to the conservation of Saudi Arabia’s coastal ecosystems.
Launched earlier this year at TKS with 1,000 seedlings, the KAUST Mangrove Nursery transforms conservation into hands-on learning. TKS students collected, planted and nurtured mangrove propagules under HSE guidance, creating a living classroom that supports biodiversity and environmental stewardship. Now, the first generation of nursery-grown mangroves is ready for planting on the shoreline, as students, educators, and volunteers come together to restore and protect the coastline.
The Mangrove Nursery represents KAUST’s commitment to connecting science, education, and community action,” said Marika Panagiotou, biodiversity specialist at HSE. “By engaging students in the restoration of their natural environment, we are nurturing future environmental stewards and fostering a shared sense of responsibility that extends well beyond the classroom.”
“At TKS, we are shifting from focusing on sustainability to focusing on regenerative practices,” said Dwain MacIntosh, sustainability coordinator and edible education Programme director at TKS. “The TKS Mangrove Nursery project provides students engaging, hands-on, real-world opportunities to contribute not only to preservation, but to restoration of Saudi Arabia’s coastline by strengthening natural barriers, providing valuable habitat for marine life, and supporting healthy marine ecosystems.”
“This initiative reflects KAUST’s deep commitment to social responsibility and environmental awareness by uniting education, science, and community action,” said Hani Bojer, manager of KAUST Social Responsibility. “With more than 100 student volunteers from the local community, alongside representatives from MEWA and the Ministry of Education, we are empowering young people to take an active role in protecting the Red Sea’s ecosystems and shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities. This demonstrates how local action can create a lasting global impact.”
Mangroves are essential to coastal resilience and to Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental goals under Vision 2030. They protect shorelines from erosion, provide vital habitats for marine life, and act as powerful carbon sinks that help combat climate change. The nursery is one way in which KAUST supports efforts of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 to plant over 100 million mangroves.
It is also one of several actions KAUST is taking as the first Saudi university to join the Nature Positive Universities Network, which currently consists of over 500 universities worldwide promoting nature on their campuses. Further, KAUST Social Responsibility works with students from neighboring communities outside KAUST to cultivate environmental awareness and a culture of sustainability.