Recover Guyana marks International Day for Mangrove Conservation with inaugural national youth conference

Jul 27, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – In recognition of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Recover Guyana, in partnership with international maritime construction company Jan De Nul, hosted its inaugural National Youth Conference on Mangrove Conservation on 25 July 2025 at the Ramada Princess Hotel Georgetown.

The landmark event brought together more than 150 youth leaders, environmental advocates, policymakers, educators, and scientists from across the country to spotlight the vital role of mangrove ecosystems in climate action, coastal protection, and community resilience.

The conference served as a national platform for dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental protection, particularly among youth.

Key features included a high-level expert panel, interactive networking sessions, and a youth forum that amplified the voices of young environmental leaders from across Guyana.

Delivering opening remarks, Dr. Dave Lalltoo, President and Founder of Recover Guyana, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative. He described mangrove conservation as more than an environmental concern, calling it a shared national responsibility that depends on the innovation and leadership of the next generation. “This conference is more than a one-day event. It is a national call to action,” he stated. “At Recover Guyana, we are proud to provide a platform where young people can contribute meaningfully to the national environmental agenda.”

A major highlight of the event was the Youth Forum, which featured Anushka Singh, Guyana’s 2025 Environmental Speaker, alongside the Top 10 national finalists of the recently concluded SHOUT competition. These emerging environmental leaders brought bold ideas, and informed perspectives to the national stage. Their contributions reinforced the importance of youth engagement in advancing climate justice, environmental education, and community-driven mangrove conservation efforts.

The expert panel added international and policy-driven perspectives to the event. Representatives of diplomatic missions, strategic partners, developmental agencies, and educators delivered powerful reflections on mangrove resilience, climate partnerships, and youth inclusion.

Her Excellency Jane Miller, British High Commissioner to Guyana, voiced strong support for Recover Guyana’s inaugural National Youth Conference. She urged young people to become future advocates for mangrove preservation by deepening their understanding of the vital role mangroves play in climate resilience, raising awareness among their peers, and uniting to drive meaningful environmental change.

Vasanna Persaud, the 2023 SHOUT Guyana Youth Environment Speaker, also delivered an inspiring address, reaffirming her ongoing commitment to environmental protection and youth mobilization. She called on her peers to take an active role in environmental solutions by committing to the protection of mangroves through practical systems and tangible actions that can spark change from the community level to the national stage.

As a global leader in sustainable marine infrastructure, Jan De Nul reaffirmed its commitment to conservation and climate education through its partnership with Recover Guyana. In his remarks, Mr. Davy Spriet, Project Manager at Jan De Nul, spoke about the importance of empowering communities through meaningful environmental collaboration. “Jan De Nul remains committed to helping communities adapt to rising sea levels, restore coastal ecosystems, and advance clean energy transitions,” he said. “This partnership reflects our mission to improve the quality of life for future generations and to invest in local initiatives that create lasting environmental impact.”

The National Youth Conference on Mangrove Conservation marked a significant step toward a more informed, resilient, and youth-empowered approach to environmental protection in Guyana. Recover Guyana; along with its partners continue to lead national initiatives in green entrepreneurship, community outreach, and sustainability-focused training. These programmes address some of Guyana’s most urgent development challenges, including food security, pollution, and access to clean water, while equipping young people with the tools to become active stewards of Guyana’s natural resources.

Jan De Nul is a company that addresses some of the most important challenges in water, land and energy around the world. From the rising sea level to the energy transition, from polluted soil to sustainable construction: the company engineers solutions that future-proof the world. The company’s ‘Can-Do people’ focuses on four areas of expertise: Offshore Energy, Dredging Solutions, Construction Projects and Planet Redevelopment. Together, they work towards one shared goal: to improve the global quality of life for generations to come.

About Recover Guyana:

Recover Guyana is a registered non-profit organization (NGO) geared towards supporting vulnerable communities and families by providing sustainable opportunities that improve quality of life. Through various initiatives, the organization helps children, families, and individuals build better futures.

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• conservation, Dr. Dave Lalltoo, Jan De Nul, mangrove, Youth conference

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