This community is praised for their their mangrove protection and management initiatives. Every day, on a rotating schedule, a member of the community patrols the nearby mangrove forests. This effort helps reduce crime and environmental damange in the area.
Ecuador has a program called custodias for many of its mangrove forests. In this program, local people are in charge of protecting the land. The people of Bellavista have an association that is part of this program. It is important that everyone tries to only eat shrimp that comes from sustainable (good for the environment) places.
Envronmental and social problems are often very related. Because of this, it is very important that human needs are included in environmental solutions!
