Mangroves may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think about a pet, but Florida teenager Alex Webster is turning that idea into a unique environmental mission. Through the ‘ My Pet Mangrove programme ’, Alex is encouraging people to form a personal connection with these important coastal forests and help keep them protected. The National Geographic Society describes mangroves as coastal forests that store carbon, protect coastlines and help fight climate change. It also highlights Webster’s programme as an effort to ensure these ecosystems remain protected. The idea stands out because it gives conservation a more personal face. Instead of seeing mangroves as distant forests, people can think of them as something they can care about and help preserve. Webster’s work has earned recognition as one of the National Geographic Society’s 2026 Slingshot Challenge Award recipients.
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