Play for the Mangroves Expands to Jamaica, Empowering Youth Through Sports and Conservation
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica 5/20/2025
Seacology, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting island ecosystems and cultures, is proud to announce the launch of Play for the Mangroves (PFTM) in Jamaica. Following successful initiatives in the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, Jamaica becomes the third country to join this growing movement at the intersection of environmental protection and youth development.
Founded on the belief that young people can be powerful agents of environmental change, PFTM offers sports equipment and training in exchange for active participation in conservation activities such as mangrove planting, cleanups, and coastal biodiversity monitoring.
The program’s debut in Jamaica is made possible through a partnership with the Breds Treasure Beach Foundation, a respected community organization known for its work in education, sports, and sustainable development. The initiative will take place across St. Elizabeth Parish, a region rich in natural resources and home to passionate youth eager to make a difference. The Jamaica initiative is led locally by Trysion Walters, a respected youth coach, marine warden and manager of the Galleon Beach Fishing Sanctuary, who brings deep roots in both conservation and youth mentorship on the island’s south coast.
“We are thrilled to bring Play for the Mangroves to St. Elizabeth Parish,” said Trysion Walters, Local Coordinator. “As a marine warden, I’ve seen firsthand the threats our coasts face. This program 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 program 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 in progress, 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 withSeacology is a natural step forward.”
The Jamaica launch represents another milestone in PFTM’s vision of combining grassroots sports with tangible climate action. The program’s long-term goal is to create a global network of youth-led 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, Program Coordinator of Play for the Mangroves. “To see our model resonate from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia is incredibly energizing. 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. With strong support from community leaders and local institutions, PFTM Jamaica is poised to become a model for how sport can drive environmental progress across island nations.
