Mangrove science communicators Philippines initiative brought together youth leaders in Metro Manila for a specialized training aimed at strengthening biodiversity awareness and environmental communication during World Forestry Day activities.

METRO MANILA – In line with this year’s International Day of Forests, a Workshop for Young Mangrove Science Communicators was organised by Mangrove Matters Philippines supported by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) through the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme (AYBP) and the Small Grants Programme (SGP). The activity underscores ACB’s efforts to enable youth participation in biodiversity policy and action across the region.  

Sixty youth representatives across Luzon gathered at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP)  for a workshop to deepen mangrove awareness among the youth and equip them with tools and resources needed to amplify science communication within their communities and schools. 

Beyond the discussions, the participants also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of the wetland park. LPPWP hosts diverse species of mangroves and shorebirds, many of which are migratory. It is also a Ramsar Site or part of Wetlands of International Importance and a protected area managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The park also features a wetlands museum where the participants got the chance to learn more about the significance and important roles of wetlands in the Philippines. 

Mr. Leo Anthony Castro, Executive Director of MMPH, underscored the importance of mangrove protection and the vital role the youth plays in its conservation. “Mangroves can protect our communities, and the youth can protect our mangroves. We are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the co-leaders of today,” he said during his talk. 

The workshop also serves as one of the components of MMPH’s project, Mangroves for the YOUth, by the Youth. Other initiatives under the project include the publication of a mangrove workbook for elementary students authored and illustrated by Genea Nichole Cortez and the development of an interactive webpage utilising the workbook by Parker Shane Manalaysay, Youth Ambassador, High Seas Alliance Program & Event Lead, Mangrove Matters PH, to ensure accessibility and digital reach.

At the end of the session, the participants integrated what they have learned by developing promotional materials and social media reels. These outputs will be featured in social media platforms of MMPH. 

This workshop is one of the four projects espoused by the partnership between the MMPH and the ACB through the Conservation Action Fund (CAF), a subprogramme of the AYBP, providing technical and financial support to youth-led conservation initiatives through the SGP of the ACB. 

“I’m pleased to know that Mangrove Matters PH and various youth groups are already leading biodiversity efforts across the ASEAN region. We at the ACB believe in the need to involve the youth in biodiversity conservation initiatives. We are continuously supporting building youth capacities, such as harnessing the communication potential of future mangrove science communicators, to be able to inspire others and advance mangrove protection at the local, national, regional, and global levels,” said Dr. Jerome Montemayor, ACB Executive Director. 

The series of youth activities supported under CAF began in March and will be implemented until April in the other parts of the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is hoped that through these activities, the ACB and the MMPH could strengthen youth awareness and engagement to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and drive local actions towards biodiversity conservation in the region. 

About Mangrove Matters PH

Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH) is a youth-led environmental organisation that mainstreams marine conservation, with a primary focus on mangrove forests and their inhabitants, as well as coastal communities, who are among the most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis. Through advocacy, science communication, policy lobbying, and nature-based solutions, we work to raise awareness and take concrete steps to promote the sustainable management of these invaluable natural resources.

About the AYBP

Launched in 2018, the AYBP  is a flagship initiative of the ACB to empower Southeast Asian youth to actively participate in biodiversity conservation actions and policy formulation. The Programme began with the support of the European Union through the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP) Project. 

About the SGP

The Small Grants Programme by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (SGP) is an initiative implemented by the ACB, with support from the Federal Republic of Germany through the KFW Development Bank, to sustain biodiversity and support the livelihoods of local communities within and around select ASEAN Heritage Parks in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. From 2014 to 2025, the SGP has supported 169 micro and small grant projects of local authorities, universities, and communities in general park management, habitat and species management, wildlife research and monitoring, community outreach and conservation awareness, law enforcement, sector policy development, ecotourism, and community development. The programme’s regional component supports ASEAN youth activities that are aligned with its goals toward sustainability and awareness and education on environmental protection.