La Mesa Ecopark celebrates World Environment Day with youth #ECOmmitments for climate action

Anchored on this year’s theme, #NowForClimate, youth leaders and representatives from various youth organizations gathered at the La Mesa Ecopark to engage in a series of targeted eco-activities. The event successfully highlighted the vital role of the younger generation as future climate champions equipped to address escalating environmental challenges.

In honor of World Environment Day 2026, the Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark recently hosted an event focused on youth-led environmental advocacy. 

Based on this year's theme, #NowForClimate, youth leaders and representatives from various youth organizations gathered at the La Mesa Ecopark to participate in a series of targeted eco-activities. The event successfully highlighted the importance of the younger generation as future climate champions prepared to face escalating environmental challenges.

The celebration began with a special screening of the inspiring documentary "The Foresters: A Story of Climate Keepers," organized in collaboration with MAD Travel. The film, which chronicled real-life stories of grassroots communities and young people working together to protect nature, inspired participants to take an active role in conservation and cultural community outreach. 

Following the screening, the youth participants put their inspiration into action by writing down their individual #ECOmmitments. These pledges outlined specific, actionable steps they will take to practice responsible environmental stewardship, emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility in achieving a sustainable future.

The youth leaders then took a guided #BiodiverCity Walk through the La Mesa Ecopark, which is a rich sanctuary of diverse tree species. The trail included an educational visit to the Butterfly Garden, which provided a closer look at the fragile, thriving ecosystems. 

To leave a lasting, positive impact on the watershed, a ceremonial tree planting event was held to highlight the long-term benefits of reforestation. Youth participants planted two seedlings of Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus), a rare tropical hardwood endemic to the Philippines also known as Philippine Ironwood. The Malampaya Foundation donated the ecologically valuable seedlings, which represent strong cross-sectoral collaboration in environmental conservation.

The celebration concluded with a hands-on seed extraction activity. Having marveled at the towering Kupang (Parkia timoriana) trees earlier on their BiodiverCity Walk, participants enjoyed extracting seeds from their pods. The collected seeds will be nurtured at Bahay Punlaan and eventually spread throughout the La Mesa Ecopark and the adjacent La Mesa Nature Reserve. 

The World Environment Day event is a preview of more eco-activities at the La Mesa Ecopark, which will open Phase 2 in July. The public can expect more spaces for groups and families to enjoy leisure activities, teambuilding, and connecting with nature.

In celebration of World Environment Day 2026, Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark recently hosted a gathering dedicated to youth-led environmental advocacy. 

During this World Environment Day celebration, the Manila Water Foundation and La Mesa Ecopark successfully demonstrated the wave of collective action fueled by youth passion, demonstrating that the next generation holds the key to creating a sustainable, climate-resistant world.