QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Under the stewardship of the Manila Water Foundation (MWF), the La Mesa Ecopark (LME) has celebrated 2025 as a landmark year for urban forest restoration and environmental education in the heart of Metro Manila.
The park’s “biodiverCity” initiative successfully mobilized thousands of volunteers and nearly 200 organizations to revitalize the La Mesa Watershed, the primary source of drinking water for over 12 million people.
2025 Achievement Highlights
- Urban Reforestation: A total of 14,342 endemic and native trees were planted across the park, significantly enriching the local ecosystem.
- Forest Restoration: Through 93 tree-nurturing sessions, the foundation successfully restored 35 hectares of forest land.
- Volunteer Power: Over 5,000 volunteers across all age groups participated in hands-on activities, including seed bagging, soil potting, and tree planting.
- Environmental Education: More than 8,000 individuals underwent experiential learning programs designed to connect the health of the forest with the reliability of the city’s water supply.
New Facilities and recreation To enhance the visitor experience and promote shared stewardship, LME introduced two key facilities in 2025:
- Butterfly Garden: An interactive space for local species education.
- Outdoor Court: A new venue for sports and fitness activities, promoting a healthy lifestyle in a green setting.
The Road to 2026 MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal highlighted that the Ecopark’s work is becoming a “growing movement” for climate action.
- Phase 2 Rehabilitation: Expansion plans for 2026 include the rehabilitation of Phase 2 of the Ecopark.
- La Mesa Nature Reserve: Tree-planting efforts will extend to the Nature Reserve using Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) methods.
- Open Bookings: Reservations for the 2026 planting season (June to October) are now officially open to schools, corporations, and community groups.
“Every tree planted helps restore our forest cover and protect the watershed that sustains Metro Manila,” Andal stated. The LME’s ongoing success serves as a living testament to what collective community stewardship can achieve for urban environmental resilience.