Thuwal: The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has launched the KAUST Mangrove Nursery, distinguished as the first school-based mangrove nursery in the Middle East. Developed through a collaboration between KAUST Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), The KAUST School (TKS), and KAUST Social Responsibility, the project aims to instill environmental stewardship in young learners while actively contributing to the conservation and restoration of Saudi Arabia’s coastal ecosystems.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the KAUST Mangrove Nursery was launched earlier this year at TKS with 1,000 seedlings. The initiative transforms conservation into hands-on learning, where TKS students collected, planted, and nurtured mangrove propagules under HSE guidance, creating a living classroom that supports biodiversity and environmental stewardship. The first generation of nursery-grown mangroves is now ready for planting on the shoreline, where students, educators, and volunteers are coming together to restore and protect the coastline, said a KAUST press release.
Biodiversity Specialist at HSE Marika Panagiotou noted that the Nursery represents KAUST’s commitment to “connecting science, education, and community action,” emphasizing that engaging students in restoration nurtures “future environmental stewards and fosters a shared sense of responsibility.”
TKS Sustainability Coordinator Dwain MacIntosh said TKS is shifting from focusing on sustainability to regenerative practices. The project provides students with “engaging, hands-on, real-world opportunities to contribute not only to preservation, but to restoration of Saudi Arabia’s coastline.”
“The initiative directly reflects KAUST’s deep commitment to social responsibility and environmental awareness,” highlighted Manager of KAUST Social Responsibility Hani Bojer, adding that over 100 student volunteers from the local community, along with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Ministry of Education, are taking an active role in protecting the Red Sea’s ecosystems. This demonstrates how local action can create a lasting global impact.
Mangroves are essential to coastal resilience and to Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental goals under Vision 2030. They protect shorelines from erosion, provide vital habitats for marine life, and act as powerful carbon sinks. The nursery supports the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 to plant over 100 million mangroves. Furthermore, the project is one of several actions KAUST is taking as the first Saudi university to join the Nature Positive Universities Network, which promotes nature enhancement on campuses globally. KAUST Social Responsibility is also working with students from neighboring communities outside KAUST to cultivate environmental awareness and a culture of sustainability.
