At Phuket Marine National Parks Research Center located at the northern part of Phuket Island in Thailand our Student Action Program (S.A.P.) students showed us what 4 straight months of hard work and dedication can accomplish.   With the help of over 40 younger students from Tahchatchai School, our 50 S.A.P. students from
 

Technical Thalang College planted 300 mangrove trees along two areas of Thachatchai Mangrove Forest Nature Trail.

The opening ceremony for our S.A.P. students' mangrove planting and educational event was presented by guest speakers Mr. Chokdee Intreegrub, Assist. Director of Sub-District Administration, Mr. Suwut Limphanon and Mr. Somporn Thaweegarn, Assist. Directors of Technical Thalang College. 

This full day event designed by our students aimed to restore 2 mangrove areas and teach the younger students from Thachatchai school (age 11-12) all about the importance of mangrove ecosystems. Our students ran the Thachatchai students through a serious of stations covering topics titled, "Mangrove Forests: The Kitchen of the World", "The Amazing Underworld", "Cleaning Water Resources", and "Renewable Energy" to teach them about the important ecosystem functions mangrove forests have.

We are really impressed with our students.  To see both our S.A.P projects come together and be a big success shows us how with a little guidance, support, and knowledge a group of 15 year old students' ability to educate others, solve problems, and change the way people do things is boundless! 

S.A.P. Update by Kelly Franklin of www.sustainablesmiles.org