Mangrove restoration on Padaidori Island follows a structured, tested and straightforward process – comprised of these 8 steps:

1. Our local planting partner first works with all levels of the Indonesian government at the National, Regional, and most importantly, at the Village level (where the primary land ownership/rights is recognised in Indonesia) to secure the authorization agreements needed,  as well as the long-term permence for the project site(s).

2. Workers receive intensive training on proper restoration techniques. This is often delivered by workers from other local projects.

3. “Before” photos are taken for each hectare (at the time of first planting) with the Theodolite app showing GPS coordinates and other site identification data.

4.  Prior to planting, each worker “harvests” their own supply of appropriate mangrove species propagules/seeds from adjacent healthy remnant mangrove forests. The collected propagules are then recorded and bundled (per person), and held in storage at the village plant nursery until planted. Workers are paid once specific bundles are planted on scheduled communal planting days.

5. The workers first clear the sites of deforestation debris – and plant the appropriate mangrove species within the appropriate sub-ecosystems. Photo documentation after the planting has been completed is used to validate the estimated number of trees planted per daily section.

6. As needed, the workers also replant the propagules that can potentially die-off as a result of periodic crab predation, a severe weather event,  etc.

7. Our local planting partner monitors and measures survival rates, growth, health and natural regeneration rates on an annual basis. Photo documentation related to their specific planting sites is provided to SeaTrees to confirm this.

8. Long-term monitoring and guarding of the restored mangrove forest through a seperate “guard fund”, that is created at the very beginning of the restoration efforts. 10% of funding provided by SeaTrees, is set aside into a guard fund that is operated by Eden Projects. 

In addition to ongoing evaluation provided by Eden Projects, we assess every restoration site in person. Sustainable Surf / SeaTrees team members visit each planting site we support during the initial planting period to document and verify the process, and progress.

On Padaidori Island, trained monitoring teams use a series of “circle plots” (a standardized 'Silviculture' evaluation technique) located within the planting sites to annually measure tree growth rate, survival rate, diversity, and other indicators of forest health. These teams also identify areas of the forest that need additional restoration effort, from the occasional destructive impacts of animals ( typically, crab predation) and extreme weather.