In southern Iran, rural women in Hormozgan Province are playing a central role in the restoration of the country’s mangrove forests and the protection of the Shour–Shirin–Minab International Wetland, a vital coastal ecosystem. The initiative, based in the village of Tiab, involves local women who have received training in seed collection, soil preparation, seedling cultivation, and nursery management.

The project was implemented by Mashgh Afarinesh Va Toseye Paydar with backing from the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (SGP) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as funding through the International Community Conserved Areas and Governance Support Initiative (ICCA-GSI). It was conducted in coordination with the Provincial Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization.

Participants underwent training sessions and hands-on workshops designed to build practical skills for establishing and operating small-scale mangrove nurseries. These efforts led to the creation of Tiab’s first women-led mangrove nursery, capable of producing about 1,500 seedlings. The nursery offers a platform not only for ecosystem restoration but also for creating sustainable income opportunities for the women involved.

Mehri Zarei, a member of the Tiab Women’s Green Nursery, described the work as deeply meaningful, highlighting a personal connection to the environment fostered through their efforts. “We nurtured these seedlings with our own hands, just like our own children,” she said, emphasizing the emotional significance of planting mangroves as a form of hope for the future.

Beyond Tiab, the project has encouraged collaboration between neighboring communities. Women from Tiab shared their knowledge and experience with groups in villages such as Chah Sahari, facilitating the spread of mangrove conservation practices including seed collection, irrigation methods, and nursery management. This exchange has contributed to building local capacity for the long-term stewardship of the region’s mangrove habitats.

The initiative underscores the importance of community-led environmental projects that integrate livelihood development with natural resource conservation. By directly involving women in the restoration and protection of southern Iran’s coastal ecosystems, the program has fostered local engagement and provided practical tools for sustaining these critical habitats.