Engaging youth in understanding socio-environmental issues: the case of the mangrove on the island of Grenada in the Caribbean

St George’s Bay in Grenada in the Caribbean is impacted by an increase of urbanization, coastal and marine activities leading to coastal erosion and decrease of water quality. To answer these issues and find solutions, there has been an transdisciplinary work between bio-physical and social science as well as with the management of Port Louis Marina that is directly affected. The aim was to test a mangrove planting site to see if the mangrove would play a role of filter and reduce the erosion as well as bringing environmental awareness. In fact in a context of an increasing disconnection to the environment, and the lack of coastal and ocean knowledge within the youth of the island, the aim of this project was to sense the places and improve the quality of the bay through a participatory approach. To do so, we mainly focused on inclusive actions by integrating the youth from a school and a Home for Children. The children observed the seascape of the bay, the mangrove ecosystem, went at sea, planted mangrove and measured the mangrove growth. They also built their own visions and solutions, learnt more about mangrove ecosystems and identified themselves to their mangrove site. The project increased their awareness, and they are now creating panels to send their voices.