ManCo-RE
Location
Krabi, Southern Thailand
Duration
Since 2023 to date
Supervision
Academic Research Director, Research Coordinator
Focus
Community-Based Mangrove forests Restoration
Mangrove forests are some of the most productive and resilient ecosystems on the planet, acting as nurseries for fish and crustaceans, natural barriers against storms and erosion, and powerful carbon sinks.
Across Thailand and much of the tropics, mangroves have been heavily degraded by coastal development, aquaculture, and pollution, threatening both biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
ManCore works to reverse this loss through community-based mangrove restoration that prioritizes biodiversity, ecosystem function, and local benefit. Using CBEMR-aligned approaches and assisted natural regeneration, we restore diverse, resilient mangrove ecosystems while supporting nature-based livelihoods, regenerative tourism, and community forest management. Through science-based restoration and monitoring, ManCore strengthens coastal resilience and demonstrates how mangrove recovery can benefit both people and nature.
ManCo-RE
Currently active Projects
Nasook Mangrove & Seagrass Nursery & Field Lab
Building and operating a living laboratory at Nasook Wellness Resort, where mangrove and seagrass seedlings are cultivated, monitored, and used for research and restoration projects across the province.
Ao Nummao Mangrove Reforestation Project
Restoring degraded mangrove areas in collaboration with local communities, focusing on planting a diverse range of native species to enhance ecosystem resilience and biodiversity.
Ao Thalane Community Mangrove Project
Supporting the local community in Ao Thalane by strengthening eco-tourism opportunities, improving teaching materials, and enhancing knowledge so guides can lead better tours and share accurate information with visitors.
Koh Klang Regenerative Island Project
Led by the local community enterprise The Mangrove Classroom, this project integrates mangrove restoration with community development, eco-education, and sustainable livelihood initiatives, creating a model for regenerative island stewardship.
Mangrove Phenology Study
Tracking flowering, fruiting, and seeding cycles to understand how environmental factors affect mangrove reproduction. This knowledge allows us to time seed collection more effectively, keeping nurseries stocked with the right species for restoration projects.
ManCo-RE
Impact & Timeline
ManCo-REapplies a holistic monitoring and evaluation framework inspired by the Satoyama Initiative’s Resilience Indicators. Rather than focusing only on trees planted or carbon stored, we assess how forests and communities evolve together in terms of biodiversity, wellbeing, and governance.
Since 2023, we have achieved:
- Return of the Oriental Pied Hornbill in early 2025 — a strong sign of habitat recovery.
- Establishment of one fully functional community forest nursery.
- Documentation and planting of 43 native tree species, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem function.
- Planting of 600+ native trees, regenerating over 3,000 m² of degraded land.
- Hosting of 3 community restoration events with 300+ participants from local communities, NGOs, and government.
- Engagement of 1,000+ students through immersive, place-based education programs.
- 5 international student internships through the NatureMind-ED program.
- Publication of 2 international research papers highlighting CoForREST’s contributions.
- Active collaboration with 10+ institutional partners in restoration, education, and governance.
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Krabi, Thailand