Red Sea Global (RSG) - the developer behind two of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala - successfully opened its first mangrove nursery in Saudi Arabia. The project will support RSG’s aim to plant 50 million mangrove trees by 2030, in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification.
The initiative closely aligns with the national objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and RSG’s commitment to conserving and revitalizing the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, underpinned by an overarching ambition to deliver a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040.
"We hold the utmost respect for the environment in which we operate and recognize it as our most valuable asset. It is our shared obligation to not only safeguard it but also proactively enhance it wherever possible. The successful opening of our Mangrove Nursery is a testament to that unyielding dedication to preserving and rejuvenating the Red Sea coastline," said RSG Group CEO John Pagano.
"While we will continue to explore novel approaches, embrace cutting-edge methodologies, and utilize innovative technology, often nature already provides the greatest solutions. The power of mangrove forests to store carbon, manage flooding and stabilize coastlines, and provide shelter for fish and other organisms, makes them one of nature’s super ecosystems. Our Mangrove Nursery will increase the numbers of mangroves and boost biodiversity, ensuring we reach the environmental ambitions we have set ourselves." he added.
The seedlings will be cared for in the nursery for approximately eight months until they grow to 80 cm, at which point they will be carefully transplanted to designated mangrove parks within the destination. RSG’s experts chose to cultivate native mangrove species Rhizophora Mucronate (red mangrove) and Avicenna Marina (gray mangrove) to increase the chances of survival.
RSG Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer Raed Albasseet said: "The establishment of a sustainable mangrove ecosystem is a key part of our commitment to protect and enhance the natural environment of our destination. These trees are among the most efficient tools we have for carbon sequestration, with the capacity to absorb up to 5-10 times more carbon than other plants. Coupled with the positive impact on biodiversity, the successful cultivation of seedlings forms a central pillar in our ambition to achieve a 30 percent net conservation benefit across our destinations. I speak for the entire team when I express my pride in reaching this milestone moment for our organization.”
Mangrove nurseries must also be protected from natural threats in their own habitats such as storms, extreme high tides, grazing animals, and algae that feed on them. RSG has implemented the highest measures of protection for the nursery to minimize any harm to the seedlings.
The dedicated mangrove parks will soon form part of the guest experience, open for visitors to explore and learn more about their important role in natural ecosystems.
“The process of the cultivation and transplantation of mangrove trees is highly technical, requiring significant planning and proficiency. Since mangrove forests require water to survive, nurseries are typically located near a source of water within the intertidal zone to ensure the optimal growth of the seedlings. We need to carefully track the tide cycles to find periods of low tide and consistently monitor the weather to avoid windy days, " said Tarik Alabbasi, RSG Environmental Programs Director.
The establishment of the mangrove nursery is the latest initiative launched by RSG to protect and enhance key habitats crucial to biodiversity. Previous projects include the first-ever successful transplantation of native Doum Palm Trees, achieved earlier this year, and the establishment of pioneering floating coral nurseries to help expand the region’s coral reefs. The group also regularly conducts environmental surveys of wildlife ecosystems to track impacts and improvements, optimize its approach, and ensure it reaches its regenerative goals.
RSG recently released findings from its latest Wildlife and Ecosystem Study that builds on results of the largest ever environmental baseline survey conducted by a real-estate developer released last year, covering 250 km of coastline across The Red Sea and Amaala destination areas.
The Red Sea destination is on track to welcome its first guests this year, when the international airport and the first hotels will open. Amaala will be opened to visitors soon after in 2024.
