REVIVE is a group working to bring back mangrove forests in Veracruz, Mexico. Mangroves are trees that grow where land meets the sea. The group wants to bring back both trees and animals.
People cut and burned these forests to make space for cows, and the ground sank. Young trees could not grow there, so the team made small hills with wet soil. This idea came from an old Aztec farming method. The team planted about 2,000 trees on hundreds of these hills.
Later, the team counted more than 4,000 trees there. Water carried other young trees into the area, and they started growing too. This success led to a bigger project.
The team has also brought back about 80 crocodiles since 2017. It says the animals move soil as they swim and keep paths through the water open. However, crocodile expert Charlie Manolis questions the idea that mangrove forests need these animals to stay healthy. He supports protecting crocodiles, but warns that they can be dangerous and says people need to learn how to live safely near them.
