Katarina Duke
Documentary | Sri Lanka
Katarina Duke’s EcoShores placement in Sri Lanka explored the vital role mangroves play in sustaining coastal communities, livelihoods, culture, and resilience. Through local voices and experiences, her documentary examines the connections between mangroves, fisheries, tourism, and cultural traditions, while highlighting the growing pressures facing these ecosystems and the importance of community stewardship for their future.
Documentary
Protecting the Roots: Mangroves, Communities, and Coastal Futures in Sri Lanka
Andrew Batycki
Research Report | New Zealand
Andrew Batycki’s EcoShores placement in New Zealand explored how coastal wetlands can support climate resilience while balancing environmental, social, and economic priorities. His research developed a practical framework for assessing the trade-offs and co-benefits of coastal wetland conservation and restoration, with a focus on mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass. Applied across three sites in Auckland—Tuff Crater, Hobson Bay, and Māngere Inlet—the framework considers factors such as biodiversity, blue carbon, land use, community priorities, and economic impacts to support more informed and locally responsive nature-based solutions.
Research Report
Site Profile Framework for Assessing Trade-offs and Co-benefits of Coastal Wetland Conservation and Restoration Opportunities in Auckland.
Timi Adelugba
Research Report | New Zealand
Timi Adelugba’s EcoShores placement in New Zealand explored how equitably people can access and use urban coastal mangrove walking trails in Auckland, with a particular focus on older adults, people with physical disabilities, and children. Her research developed a practical, equity-focused accessibility assessment tool that considers factors related to access and arrival, trail characteristics, safety and comfort, and wayfinding and experience. The tool was applied to three Auckland sites—Tuff Crater Reserve, Norana Esplanade Walkway, and Hobson Bay Walkway—to identify potential accessibility barriers and highlight which equity-deserving groups may be most affected. By combining literature review, GIS and online mapping, and field observations, the project provides a practical approach for supporting more inclusive planning and management of urban blue-green spaces.
Research Report
Assessment of Accessibility to Urban Coastal Mangrove Walking Trails in Auckland: Implications for Equity Deserving Groups.