Florida Teen's 'My Pet Mangrove' Program Aims to Protect Coastal Forests and Store Carbon

Alex Webster, a teenager from Florida, is running a program called 'My Pet Mangrove' that encourages people to adopt mangroves as pets. The initiative, recognized by the National Geographic Society's Slingshot Challenge, aims to build personal connections with these ecosystems to boost conservation efforts. Mangroves are critical for carbon sequestration and coastal defense, and Webster's approach makes their protection more relatable. The program turns an abstract environmental issue into a tangible relationship. By framing mangroves as pets, Webster hopes more people will care about their survival. This story highlights a grassroots approach to climate action, showing that individual efforts can complement larger policy and market-based solutions. For those interested in coastal resilience and blue carbon, this is a notable example of community-driven engagement.