2005-2008: Local Volunteers Plant Red Mangroves

Starting around 2005, local volunteer Ray Powery began hand planting red mangroves. Instead of waiting around for foundation support, he and his family just started planting many thousands of propagules. Ray is a local fisherman and he remembers clearly the way the fishery was before Hurricane Mitch. He was also saddened by seeing birds attempting to raise nests in the dead trees with no cover from the sun or predators. Ray recals the times before Mitch when the mangrove trees were large, birds and other wildlife thrived, mangrove snappers and sea turtles could be found in abundance amongst the mangrove roots and the fishery was just a lot better.

Ray focused his planting mostly on the exposed shorelines of Guanaja's north side. These difficult areas are challenging due to wave action and seaweed fouling. In more protected spots along the north side, crab predation is often a significant problem. None the less, Ray and his family managed to restore some significant area. Small trees can now be seen growing in Mangrove Bight, around Spanish Point and along towards Manawar Bight.

Ray studied the propagules carefully and passed on his knowledge to Guanaja Mangrove Restoration. Ray's efforts are the true begining of the now ongoing volunteer restoration work organized by GMR.