California-based ecological preservation non-profit Seacology has selected Jamaica as the third country participant in its Play for the Mangroves (PFTM) initiative.

The initiative comes to Jamaica following its success in the Dominican Republic and the Philippines and is founded on the belief that young people can be powerful agents of environmental change.

The Seacology programme offers sports equipment and training in exchange for active participation in conservation activities such as mangrove planting, cleanups, and coastal biodiversity monitoring.

According to Seacology, the programme’s debut in Jamaica is made possible through a partnership with the Jason Henzell-founded BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, a respected community organisation known for its work in education, sports and sustainable development.

The initiative will take place across Jamaica’s breadbasket parish, St Elizabeth. At the local level, the initiative is being led by Trysion Walters, a youth coach, marine warden and manager of the Galleon Fish Sanctuary, a protected coastal area originally established in 2011 at 625 acres and recently expanded to 1,150 acres.

“We are thrilled to bring Play for the Mangroves to St Elizabeth, “ said Trysion Walters, local coordinator.

“As a marine warden, I’ve seen firsthand the threats our coasts face. This programme gives young people the tools and motivation to become protectors of the same ecosystems they grow up around while staying active and connected through sports.”

Since its founding, PFTM has seen inspiring success.

In the Dominican Republic, the programme has engaged thousands of youth in coastal towns, planted thousands of mangrove seedlings, and developed a loyal network of volunteers and community partners.

A similar pilot in the Philippines is now underway, further proving that this model can be adapted to diverse social and ecological contexts.

“This program fits perfectly into our mission at Breds,“ said Jason Henzell, director of the BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation.

“We believe in empowering youth, preserving our natural resources, and building resilient communities. Partnering with Seacology is a natural step forward.”

The Jamaica launch represents another milestone in PFTM’s vision of combining grassroots sports with tangible climate action.

Seacology noted that its long-term goal is to create a global network of young coastal guardians who are proud to defend their mangroves and marine ecosystems.

“We’re building more than teams, we’re building a generation of young environmental stewards,” said Ismael Díaz, programme coordinator of Play for the Mangroves.

“To see our model resonate from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia is incredibly energising. Jamaica brings new energy, new stories, and a strong community to this growing movement.”

The first activities in St. Elizabeth are already underway, with local youth taking part in beach cleanups and mangrove education days, in exchange for equipment and training.