Theo Quenee noticed something most people would have walked past the morning after Hurricane Irma tore through the Florida Keys. Young mangrove seedlings, also known as propagules, were scattered across roads, parking lots, and debris fields after powerful storm surges ripped them from the coastline. Cleanup crews focused on damaged homes and fallen trees, but the South Florida teenager saw thousands of living plants that still had a chance to survive if someone acted quickly. He collected hundreds of the stranded propagules and carried them home over the following days. Space soon became a problem, so the roof of his family’s house was transformed into an improvised greenhouse where trays of mangrove seedlings covered the rooftop instead of patio furniture. According to NBC Miami , Quenee ultimately raised 524 mangrove seedlings, giving them a second chance before they were replanted in the Florida Keys.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
