Hot, muddy, and salty. At first glance, you might see a swampy, insect-filled place teeming with mosquitoes, snakes, and spiders. But to me, this is home.

Look a little closer. You'll discover a world of hidden treasures - twisted branches and vines sheltering incredible reptiles, wild-looking insects, and countless crabs. Life thrives here, just as it has for centuries.

We are survivors. I am a mangrove.

Twice a day, the high tide rushes in, submerging us in saltwater. Yet, we stand firm, providing a haven for wildlife. A nest is cradled within the crook of my branches. Below, an Egret feeds among my roots. I am just one tree, part of a vast forest that shelters more than 230 species of birds, along with snakes, spiders, and flying foxes. If you are lucky, your Tweed Eco guide might even show you Fruit Bat Island, where these fascinating creatures roost during our Bush Tucker and Crabs Cruise.

Biologists consider mangroves one of the most important ecosystems on Earth - and for good reason.

Nature's Nursery

We are the nurseries of the river and sea. Small fish, crabs, and prawns seek refuge in our tangled roots, growing safely before venturing into the open ocean. 75% of commercially caught fish and prawns rely on mangroves at some stage of their life cycle.

The Coastal Protectors

Our sprawling root systems do more than just hold us upright. They buffer the coastline against storm surges, absorb wave energy, and trap sediments, preventing erosion. We also improve water quality by filtering out excess nutrients, reducing harmful algal blooms that could devastate nearby seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Blue Carbon: Nature's Climate Solution

When you drive a car, carbon is released into the air. Some of this carbon settles in water, where certain ecosystems - like mangroves - can sequester (store) it at astonishing rates.

Here's how it works:

We absorb carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis.
That carbon is stored in our leaves, branches, roots and soil.
Even after we drop leaves or old roots, the carbon remains locked away for centuries in the rich organic mud beneath us.

To put it into perspective, just one acre of mangroves can sequester 658 kg of carbon - equivalent to the emissions from a car driving 12,167 km (enough to cross the U.S. three times!).

Surviving in Saltwater

Living in saltwater would kill most plants, but we’ve evolved incredible defences:

Root Filtration: We block over 90% of salt before it even enters our system.
Salt Excretion: Any salt that gets through is excreted through special glands in our leaves. (Try licking a mangrove leaf—you’ll taste the salt!)
Salt Storage: Some of us store excess salt in our bark or older leaves, which fall off, taking the salt with them.

The Strength of Our Roots

Every part of our body plays a vital role:

Cable roots spread wide, anchoring us in the shifting mud.
Feeding roots absorb nutrients from the rich sediment.
Breathing roots (pneumatophores) stick out like snorkels, collecting oxygen from the air.

The Fight for Survival

For years, humans misunderstood our value. We were torn down, filled in, and bulldozed for houses, roads, and parking lots. But now, people are finally recognising our worth.

Under the NSW Fisheries & Oyster Farms Act 1935, mangroves are protected. Removing any part of a mangrove plant requires a permit, and NSW Fisheries actively encourages planting more mangroves to restore lost habitats.

Visit Without Getting Muddy!

Want to experience the magic of mangroves without sinking into the mud? Explore Tweed’s mangrove forests via elevated boardwalks at:

🌿 Minjungbal Historic Site, Tweed Heads South
🌿 Keith Curran Park, The Anchorage
🌿 Philip Parade Walkway, Tweed Heads South

Next time you see a mangrove, take a moment to appreciate its resilience, beauty, and the vital role it plays in protecting our world.