The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem falls on Sunday, July 26, and to mark the occasion, UAE social enterprise Mangroves 4 Mankind (M4M) has partnered with department store Bloomingdale’s Dubai to launch a special, environment-friendly art campaign.
Paint it Green is an initiative aimed at raising awareness on the importance of mangrove ecosystems, while also fostering creativity within the local community.
It will feature a collection of eight pieces of art created by internationally renowned artists including Emirati painter Fatma Lootah, contemporary artist Robyn Chislett, multi-disciplinary artist Ahmed Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, Dana Kamber, Meena Al Muheirbi, and forensic artist Ghanim Mubarak.
The art pieces on sale are all inspired by the beauty of mangroves and their connection to humanity.
The collection, which has been curated with the support of artist, curator and researcher Alia Zaal Lootah, will be showcased on Bloomingdale UAE’s website from mid-August.
All proceeds for the sale of this collection will go towards the support of local artists and mangrove reforestation initiatives under M4M, with the majority donated to the latter.
Abu Dhabi's Jubail Mangrove Park
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Jubail Mangrove Park opened on January 30, 2020. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
Jubail Mangrove Park is the first self-contained educational, nature and leisure destination of its kind in Abu Dhabi.Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The park aims to enhance the awareness, appreciation and understanding of the important ecological function of mangrove habitats that include protection of the Abu Dhabi Coastline and supporting biodiversity. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Qurum Walkway within the mangrove park has three routes. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The shortest route on the Qurum Walkway is 1 kilometre and the longest is 2 kilometres. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The view from the walkway, which has see-through nets. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
A special floating platform at Jubail Mangrove Park allows visitors to observe the mangroves and marine life without interference. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The park aims to double as an educational centre. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
Mangroves prevent soil erosion and are good for the environment. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The walkway is open to the public between 8am and 6.30pm. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
A beach platform at Jubail Mangrove Park where you can get your feet wet. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National -
A specially built viewing platform at Jubail Mangrove Park. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
“It is our collective duty to contribute to the wellbeing and longevity of our planet. Our hope is that the Paint It Green campaign will encourage local artists to take inspiration from the natural and the unique beauty of the mangroves around us and share their creations with the world, while playing an active role in the preservation of our environment,” said Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, co-founder of Mangroves 4 Mankind.
“This is the first of many initiatives that we look forward to launching on our journey towards tackling climate change and building a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was adopted by the General Conference of Unesco in 2015 to be celebrated every year on July 26 to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems and promote solutions for their sustainable management.
