We worked with local stakeholders at all levels of the project. Thanks to strong commitment from local women in particular, stakeholders, under guidance from an expert, took responsibility over the nursing and replantation of over 8000 mangrove plants. Local stakeholders were also engaged in capacity building for tourism microentrepreneurs, and an education program was launched at three schools. Prior clarification of the values and interests that motivate local stakeholders proved to be key in project design and implementation. Investing significant amounts of time working with and supporting the communities is critical to its success. In general, science was integrated throughout stakeholder engagement, including the education program. Specific activities include using current knowledge to present the value of mangroves to local children; designing and implementing the replantation program; and presenting the blue carbon assessments (i.e. scientific research) to local policy makers.