Antique interns turn tote art into mangrove advocacy

ILOILO CITY — On-the-job trainees from the University of Antique-Hamtic Campus turned art into environmental advocacy during a mangrove conservation activity organized by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Antique.

The activity was held July 28 at the PENRO Antique Building in Maybato Sur, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, in observance of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

The international observance is marked annually on July 26 to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves and promote their sustainable conservation and management.

Instead of relying solely on lectures, the program challenged trainees to translate lessons on marine and coastal conservation into visual art through tote bag painting.

Their designs depicted intertwined mangrove roots providing shelter for marine life, green canopies protecting vulnerable shorelines, and messages calling for stronger protection of coastal habitats.

Through the activity, the trainees demonstrated how art can serve as an accessible platform for communicating environmental issues and encouraging public participation in conservation.

The program also included educational lectures on the history and significance of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Trainees learned about the role of mangroves as natural coastal defenses against storms and erosion, as well as their importance as nursery habitats for fish and other marine species.

Mangrove ecosystems also support coastal livelihoods, food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Environmental games were incorporated into the program to reinforce the lessons in an interactive and engaging way.

The finished tote bags are intended to serve not only as keepsakes but also as advocacy materials that trainees can carry in schools and communities.

PENRO Antique said the painted bags can help spark conversations about mangrove conservation and encourage more people to take part in protecting coastal ecosystems.

The initiative highlights the role of young people in environmental education and demonstrates how creative activities can complement science-based conservation efforts.