Project MITHI: Investing in People, Restoring Mangroves, and Strengthening Coastal Stewardship

Coastal communities stand at the frontline of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and habitat loss threaten both livelihoods and biodiversity. But what if the solution isn’t just about restoring ecosystems—it’s about ensuring the people who depend on them have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to lead the way?

That’s the vision behind Project MITHI—Mangrove-based Initiatives for Thriving Habitats and Inclusive CommunitieWhy Mangroves? Why Now?

Mangroves are one of nature’s most powerful climate solutions. They absorb four times more carbon than tropical rainforests, shield coastlines from storm surges, and provide critical habitats for marine life. Yet, they continue to disappear at alarming rates, often cleared for short-term economic gains like charcoal-production. As these Blue Carbon habitats are destroyed, carbon that has been stored for centuries is released into the atmosphere exacerbating global warming and causing devastating harm to the most vulnerable people in the planet – the minorities and marginalized.

Project MITHI is tackling this issue head-on, restoring degraded coastal areas while ensuring local communities shape and benefit from conservation efforts. In its inaugural year, the initiative will support three coastal communities—Aringay and Bauang in La Union and Bais in Southern Negros—leveraging partnerships with Oceanus Conservation, Security Bank and local stakeholders.

Beyond Restoration is a Community-Led Approach

The project was launched with key conservation leaders, including Nikki Lizares, VP and Sustainability Head of Security Bank. Rhoda Phillips, Chair and Founder of Communities for Nature, and Camille Rivera, Director and Co-founder of Oceanus Conservation, alongside local mangrove champion Delailah Lacadue and Engr. Rhea Tudado from the local government of Aringay.

Nikki opened the launch with an insight that sums up what the program is all about —   “MITHI is more than just an environmental program. It’s a collaborative effort to position communities as key conservation leaders, strengthening their role in habitat restoration, ecotourism, and sustainable livelihoods.” 

As CfN Trustee Sef Carandang put it: “We need to invest in knowing the communities.” 

Security Bank Chief Finance Officer Eduardo Olbes also shared, “Our hope is to respond directly to the encouragement put forth by our partners. We hope to be tangibly participating and, from that, learning. It’s only through us touching the ground and working side by side with individuals within the local community that our understanding will develop.”  

But what Sets Project MITHI Apart?

 

Unlike traditional conservation programs, MITHI takes a holistic, community-led approach:

✅ Restoring & Protecting Mangroves – Rehabilitating degraded fishponds and prioritizing nature-based solutions over short-term economic trade-offs.

✅ Advancing Coastal Stewardship – Shifting from passive beneficiaries to decision-makers in conservation, ensuring long-term management of ecotourism and restoration efforts.

✅ Deepening Local Knowledge – Through citizen science and hands-on climate workshops, MITHI engages in knowledge-sharing with local champions who already have the indigenous expertise to protect their ecosystems. 

✅ Securing Sustainable Livelihoods – Coastal communities need more than mangrove forest rehabilitation. By integrating viable income-generating activities, MITHI ensures that conservation is both practical and lasting.

Why does this work need support?

Community-driven conservation doesn’t just safeguard nature—it protects people’s way of life. It strengthens local economies, restores landscapes, and ensures that the most affected populations are at the forefront of climate action.

For those looking to support high-impact, community-led environmental work, Project MITHI is an investment in both ecosystems and the future of coastal communities.

With continued support, we can help coastal communities reclaim their landscapes, drive lasting change, and lead the fight against climate threats.

💚 Join Us. Fund the Future.