People powering coastal recovery
When we are asked about the key to a successful project, the answer is simple: the people behind it.
Conservation‑minded communities, committed leaders and collaborative partners are at the heart of every ACES project. Our role is to navigate the tools, finance and frameworks with them and adapt the projects to the local context.
People powering coastal recovery
When we are asked about the key to a successful project, the answer is simple: the people behind it.
Conservation‑minded communities, committed leaders and collaborative partners are at the heart of every ACES project. Our role is to navigate the tools, finance and frameworks with them and adapt the projects to the local context.
People powering coastal recovery
When we are asked about the key to a successful project, the answer is simple: the people behind it.
Conservation‑minded communities, committed leaders and collaborative partners are at the heart of every ACES project. Our role is to navigate the tools, finance and frameworks with them and adapt the projects to the local context.
Why people are at the heart of every project
Our model is built on genuine trust and partnership with communities.
Projects are co‑created and community‑owned. ACES is a partner, never an owner.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is a core principle, not a tick‑box.
Participating communities elect a committee of representatives and decidehow project income is used.
The committees represent the community. Women, youth and people with disabilites are included as standard.
Community Leadership
Across our projects, local people lead on governance and day‑to‑day work.
Elected committees oversee each project.
People of different ages, roles and abilities are actively involved in decisions.
At least one third of governance roles are held by women.
Community development projects funded by credits are proposed and voted on locally.
These partnerships ensure that projects are scientifically credible and that findings feed back into global conversations on blue carbon and biodiversity.
Tauhida Salim
Tauhida Salim
“
Gazi, Kenya
Stories like Tauhida’s show what community‑owned conservation looks like.
As a person with a disability, being part of the Mikoko Pamoja project has given me a sense of belonging and purpose. Income through the sale of carbon credits is channelled back to the community to support important initiatives such as education, clean water, and environmental conservation. What makes Mikoko Pamoja special is that it gives everyone including people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in decision-making and project activities. In many cases, people with disabilities are often left out, but here we are recognised, respected and given a platform to contribute to conservation and community development.
As a person with a disability, being part of the Mikoko Pamoja project has given me a sense of belonging and purpose. Income through the sale of carbon credits is channelled back to the community to support important initiatives such as education, clean water, and environmental conservation. What makes Mikoko Pamoja special is that it gives everyone including people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in decision-making and project activities. In many cases, people with disabilities are often left out, but here we are recognised, respected and given a platform to contribute to conservation and community development.
Partnerships that reach further
Our work is rooted in partnerships. Our global branches bring together:
Science and local ecological knowledge
NGOs and community‑based organisations
International agencies and specialist networks
Universities and research institutions
Together, we build projects grounded in science, policy and lived experience.
Mark Huxham
Mark Huxham
ACES Founder
“
Empowering the stewards of blue carbon ecosystems to live sustainably with them must be part of restoring a balanced and just relationship between humans and nature.
Empowering the stewards of blue carbon ecosystems to live sustainably with them must be part of restoring a balanced and just relationship between humans and nature.
Explore the people behind our projects
Leading the day to day management and project activities on the ground, the project team are employed directly through each project. They work in close collaboration with ACES to ensure continued alignment and project certification. Those working on developing projects are funded through project development funding.
Explore our projects below to find out who is leading them on the ground.
Explore our Projects
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Explore our Projects
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Explore our Projects
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Community Leadership
Across our projects, local people lead on governance and day‑to‑day work.
Elected committees oversee each project.
People of different ages, roles and abilities are actively involved in decisions.
At least one third of governance roles are held by women.
Community development projects funded by credits are proposed and voted on locally.
These partnerships ensure that projects are scientifically credible and that findings feed back into global conversations on blue carbon and biodiversity.
Tauhida Salim
“
Gazi, Kenya
Stories like Tauhida’s show what community‑owned conservation looks like.
As a person with a disability, being part of the Mikoko Pamoja project has given me a sense of belonging and purpose. Income through the sale of carbon credits is channelled back to the community to support important initiatives such as education, clean water, and environmental conservation. What makes Mikoko Pamoja special is that it gives everyone including people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in decision-making and project activities. In many cases, people with disabilities are often left out, but here we are recognised, respected and given a platform to contribute to conservation and community development.
Partnerships that reach further
Our work is rooted in partnerships. Our global branches bring together:
Science and local ecological knowledge
NGOs and community‑based organisations
International agencies and specialist networks
Universities and research institutions
Together, we build projects grounded in science, policy and lived experience.
Mark Huxham
ACES Founder
“
Empowering the stewards of blue carbon ecosystems to live sustainably with them must be part of restoring a balanced and just relationship between humans and nature.
Explore the people behind our projects
Leading the day to day management and project activities on the ground, the project team are employed directly through each project. They work in close collaboration with ACES to ensure continued alignment and project certification. Those working on developing projects are funded through project development funding.
Explore our projects below to find out who is leading them on the ground.
Explore our Projects
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja
Mikoko Pamoja – “Mangroves Together” – is the world’s first community‑led blue carbon project. Internationally recognised and award-winning, this project has inspired the development of other projects including Vanga Blue Forest.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Blue Forest
Vanga Blue Forest has successfully replicated and scaled the success of Mikoko Pamoja along the Kenyan coast. Under the same model of community ownership, governance and management, it protects and restores 460ha of mangroves around Vanga Bay, including Sii Island.
Learn more
Carbon
Kenya
Vanga Seagrass Project
Vanga Seagrass Project is set to be one of the world’s first certified marine biodiversity projects. It protects 225ha of seagrass meadows, showing how coastal communities can lead ocean recovery.
Learn more
Biodiversity
The Gambia
Nnaa Saama Mankolou
Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – “Mangroves for Our Future” – is the potential first Plan Vivo certified project in The Gambia. It builds on over a decade of community efforts and is embedded in local context and governance frameworks.
Learn more
Carbon
From our blog
Engage with us as:
Credit buyers
We love to connect with the people buying our credits. Every buyer becomes part of the story of our projects, and we’re committed to long‑term, trusted relationships.If you are looking for high‑integrity blue credits that fund community‑owned projects, this page is for you.
Coastal communities
Our partnerships with communities are the core of what we do. If you are part of a coastal community that wants to protect and restore your ecosystems, and you see a possible place for ACES in your work, this page is for you
Impact Investors
All donations and investments in ACES and our projects make a real difference for people and nature. If you are a philanthropist, grant‑giver or impact investor looking to back small but mighty, community‑led climate and nature solutions, this page is for you.
Researchers
ACES welcomes research collaborations that help deepen understanding of blue carbon, biodiversity and community‑led conservation. If you are a researcher or student interested in working with us or our projects, this page is for you.
Credit buyers
We love to connect with the people buying our credits. Every buyer becomes part of the story of our projects, and we’re committed to long‑term, trusted relationships.If you are looking for high‑integrity blue credits that fund community‑owned projects, this page is for you.
Coastal communities
Our partnerships with communities are the core of what we do. If you are part of a coastal community that wants to protect and restore your ecosystems, and you see a possible place for ACES in your work, this page is for you
Impact Investors
All donations and investments in ACES and our projects make a real difference for people and nature. If you are a philanthropist, grant‑giver or impact investor looking to back small but mighty, community‑led climate and nature solutions, this page is for you.
Researchers
ACES welcomes research collaborations that help deepen understanding of blue carbon, biodiversity and community‑led conservation. If you are a researcher or student interested in working with us or our projects, this page is for you.
Credit buyers
We love to connect with the people buying our credits. Every buyer becomes part of the story of our projects, and we’re committed to long‑term, trusted relationships.If you are looking for high‑integrity blue credits that fund community‑owned projects, this page is for you.
Coastal communities
Our partnerships with communities are the core of what we do. If you are part of a coastal community that wants to protect and restore your ecosystems, and you see a possible place for ACES in your work, this page is for you
Impact Investors
All donations and investments in ACES and our projects make a real difference for people and nature. If you are a philanthropist, grant‑giver or impact investor looking to back small but mighty, community‑led climate and nature solutions, this page is for you.
Researchers
ACES welcomes research collaborations that help deepen understanding of blue carbon, biodiversity and community‑led conservation. If you are a researcher or student interested in working with us or our projects, this page is for you.
