World Wetlands Day Celebrations
At the grassroots with inspiring indigenous and local women in Ngomeni village
Today, alongside the incredible Tuhifadhi Women Group, we commemorated #WorldWetlandsDay2026 under the theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.”
This year’s theme highlights the powerful role that indigenous and local knowledge plays in wetland conservation, cultural preservation, and ecosystem sustainability.
Mangroves are a vital part of our coastal and marine wetlands and our communities know this deeply.
At CANCO, we work hand in hand with grassroots communities to protect and restore coastal wetland biodiversity — safeguarding habitats and species so they continue to provide both ecological and economic benefits that fisheries and coastal livelihoods depend on.
Coastal wetlands:
-Support sustainable seafood — many fish and shellfish species such as lobsters, shrimps, prawns, oysters, and crabs spend part or all of their lives here.
-Protect communities from storms, flooding, drought, and other climate shocks.
-Keep our water clean by filtering pollutants.
-Strengthen local economies and social development.
The indigenous Waata, Bajuni, and Giriama women within the Malindi – Magarini Joint Co-Management Area shared immense traditional knowledge about coastal wetlands management. Their wisdom, stewardship practices, and lived experience are invaluable.
These women are truly a treasure of knowledge :custodians of culture, biodiversity, and community resilience.
#WorldWetlandsDay2026 #WetlandsAndTraditionalKnowledge #Mangroves #CoastalCommunities #WomenInConservation #BlueEconomy #Ngomeni
