Today my family visited the Miami Science Museum. We were captivated by a wall of Eco Art created by artist Xavier Cortada, part of the environmental Reclamation Project. Mangrove seeds are raised in these plastic holders, which are mounted to a wall. When they reach the right size, volunteers will plant them in the ground to revive some of our mangrove forests.

Mangroves are trees that grow with their roots showing above ground. They grow in coastal areas of tropical and subtropical climates in brackish water (a combination of both fresh and salt water). The roots provide a perfect habitat for oysters, crabs, barnacles as well as other fish and plants, and the complex root system plays an important role in the flow of water. Decomposition of organic matter in the water around the roots results in a distinctive and rather unpleasant odor.

The Miami Science Museum is just one of ten places where these seedlings have been sprouted and displayed as art. Please click here to learn more about the project and the artist. Imagine having a wall like that on your patio at home. Awesome!

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