RIYADH: Red Sea International launched a community volunteer initiative to celebrate World Mangrove Day, the SPA reported on Wednesday.
It is part of a broader commitment to protect coastal ecosystems and empower residents of the Red Sea areas.
The event took place at the Mangrove Park near the bridge to Shura Island within the Red Sea destination, with more than 100 volunteers, including residents and hospitality sector workers, taking part.
Employees of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, Nujuma, Six Senses Southern Dunes, Desert Rock and Shebara joined forces with Green Umluj for mangrove transplantation into the healthy coastal environment of the park.
Attendees included representatives from the National Center For Vegetation Cover, identified as a strategic RSG partner in pursuing mutual mangrove recovery and improvement goals.
Raed Al-Basseet, group chief environment and sustainability officer at Red Sea Global, said that the initiative embodies the regenerative tourism approach, which goes beyond environmental protection to empower local communities.
Mangrove trees produce among the most effective ecosystems for carbon absorption, he added.
Coinciding with the event was the official launch of The Red Sea International Volunteer Program.
It aims to empower residents of the Red Sea areas, foster a culture of environmental responsibility and provide opportunities for specialized volunteering.
The program seeks to activate community participation in renewable projects, build capacity and strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector.
This supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Red Sea International’s strategy based on its “From People to Planet” slogan.
RSG executed the volunteer drive through its Jewar App, a platform created for meaningful dialogue with local communities at the Red Sea destination.
As part of the effort, more than 30 local residents took up an offer to volunteer.
To enhance environmental education and foster involvement, participants were also invited to engage in a Mangrove Trivia activity.
