Photo credit: Cinoby from Getty Images Signature.
Nuwat is the Arabic word for “nucleus”, the heart of every living cell which embodies genes from the past and those that will dictate the future. Founded in Bahrain in April 2023, Nuwat is a think tank, education provider and advisory that specialises in environmental research and conservation on a national, regional and international level.
Its founding in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the third smallest nation in Asia, was motivated by the need to establish an environmental research and education hub that can better inform decision makers and improve human well-being through addressing climate change. To date, they are the only ecological research organisation in the country.
They contribute towards keeping the region’s natural ecosystems healthy, productive and sustainable, ensuring healthy ecosystems vital for local livelihoods and collective long-term prosperity.
Photo credit: Nuwat.
Unique ecosystems; one-of-a-kind research
Bahrain is situated in the hottest sea on the planet – the Arabian Gulf – and is at the frontline of climate impacts. Nuwat is harnessing this power for the positive; field research could be revealing crucial findings for other ecosystems, expected to experience higher temperatures in the future.
Through merging academic research, ancestral wisdom, citizen science, education and specific projects, their ecological data aids in advising governmental entities to positively influence environmental policy and induce decisive action.
For example, Nuwat has published the first data-driven paper on Bahraini coral reefs that showcases the results of an attempt to quantify reef carbonate budgets in the Arabian Gulf.
Nuwat is supporting decision-makers to build a future with protected, thriving biodiversity for people, nature and the planet.
Launch of FinSight: Bahrain’s Citizen Science Programme
Early this year, they launched Bahrain’s first-ever Sharks & Rays Ecology and Identification Workshop under the FinSight Project.
In January 2025, the first training workshops were open to all members of the public. Participants gained the tools and knowledge to assist in gathering critical data on elasmobranch species (sharks and rays), helping to better understand their composition and seasonality in Bahraini waters. A way for all ocean enthusiasts and conservation advocates to become trained citizen scientists.
Photo credit: Wrangel from Getty Images.
Dr. Reem AlMealla, founder of Nuwat and member of the Board of the Global Rewilding Alliance said: “This is the beginning of a legacy where communities become empowered to protect marine biodiversity and contribute directly to research and conservation”.
At Nuwat, their vision is for future generations to exist on a healthy planet, one where people and nature thrive together. Today, Nuwat and the wider rewilding movement are cultivating a culture of sustainability, nature connection and environmental consciousness to get there.
Documenting local knowledge
Local people are often the experts of their land and seas. Reem AlMealla says: “Much of our fieldwork involves listening deeply—whether to fishermen, divers, farmers, or elders. Their knowledge often holds answers long before the data does.”
“For example, local fishermen have helped us identify areas where juvenile sharks are frequently seen, suggesting the possible presence of nursery habitats. This kind of insight feeds directly into our scientific theory that Bahrain may serve as a critical nursery ground for sharks and rays. At Nuwat, we don’t just collect samples; we collect stories, observations, and ancestral wisdom that guide and enrich our research.”
Photo credit: Gim42 from Getty Images Signature.
The team at Nuwat believe that channeling the wisdom from our ancestors and combining it with what we know today, we can act as a catalyst for positive change to create a world that is healthier and in harmony with nature.
Awards and more!
In addition to research and education, Nuwat provides consultancy services—working with organisations in the filming sector to help tell and document important local environmental stories about the nation’s ecosystems, while also serving as scientific advisors to the Bahraini government to co-develop national strategies that drive long-term impact and purpose.
In April 2025, Nuwat was awarded the Sustainability Impact Award at SSEA 2025. This recognition is a celebration of the collective efforts of every citizen scientist, community member, collaborator and partner who shares Nuwat’s vision for a world where nature and people thrive together.
Photo credit: Nuwat.
We warmly welcome Nuwat to the alliance, and are proud to have Dr Reem AlMealla on our own board.
Discover more about their work and research: https://nuwat.org/
You can also see Dr. Reem AlMealla present in our event on Animating the Carbon Cycle policy implications for the Middle East and North Africa region.