The La Mesa Ecopark (LME), under the stewardship of the Manila Water Foundation, has declared 2025 a landmark year for environmental achievement, marked by unprecedented urban forest restoration and massive community engagement within Metro Manila’s key green space.
The park solidified its role as a “biodiverCity” hub through synergies with over 180 organizations, mobilizing thousands of volunteers for direct conservation action. The most significant outcome was the planting of 14,342 endemic and native trees across 35 hectares of forest land within the La Mesa Watershed. This effort is a major boost to biodiversity and critical water security for the metropolitan region.
Community participation reached record levels, with over 5,000 volunteers of all ages contributing through 93 tree-nurturing sessions. Furthermore, more than 8,000 individuals participated in structured environmental education programs. Visitors consistently reported the activities as both educational and fulfilling, providing a tangible connection between protecting green spaces and ensuring a sustainable water supply.
“What we are witnessing is more than successful conservation work but a growing movement,” said Reginald Andal, Executive Director of the Manila Water Foundation. He emphasized that each tree and volunteer helps restore forest cover, strengthen biodiversity, and protect the watershed, while also sparking a “deepening environmental consciousness” among citizens.
The year also saw the enhancement of the park’s amenities with the introduction of two new facilities: an interactive Butterfly Garden showcasing local species and an Outdoor Court for sports and fitness, blending ecological learning with recreational space.
Looking ahead to 2026, LME plans to expand its conservation programs into Phase 2 of the Ecopark and extend tree-planting activities to the La Mesa Nature Reserve using Assisted Natural Regeneration methods. Bookings for the next planting season (June to October) are now open, as the foundation aims to nurture even broader partnerships and public participation in climate action.
La Mesa Ecopark stands as a living testament to community-driven environmental stewardship, demonstrating the impactful results of collective effort in urban conservation and education.#
