Masungi wins prestigious environmental award
The Masungi Georeserve has become one of the largest collaborative reforestation efforts in the country using self-generated funds from geotourism. (Photo courtesy of Masungi Georeserve Foundation)
The Masungi Geopark Project (MGP) has been awarded the National Energy Globe Award 2024 for the Philippines, highlighting its pioneering work in conservation, reforestation, and environmental sustainability in the Upper Marikina Watershed.
The Energy Globe Award is one of the world’s most prestigious environmental honors, attracting over 2,000 global applications in 2024. With more than 180 countries participating, it aims to spotlight existing solutions saving our environment by personal action, sustainable projects or campaigns for raising awareness in sustainability.
Masungi emerged as a standout for its innovative climate resilience strategies, including efforts that have protected 2,700 hectares of degraded land from various threats, sequestering carbon, and increasing resilience of climate-vulnerable communities. The initiative also employs up to 100 local rangers, self-finances conservation efforts through sustainable geotourism, and supports over 800 documented species of plants and animals.
In a ceremony held at Masungi Georeserve’s Discovery Trail in February, Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Johann Brieger and commercial counselor Arnulf Gressel presented the award to the Masungi Georeserve Foundation.
“I am happy that we have champions in the Philippines who are leading the charge for environmental preservation. Masungi’s dedication to conservation, education, sustainable development, and positive environmental impact aligns with the values we also hold dear in Austria. I’m delighted that the remarkable efforts of Masungi Georeserve, whose work in protecting and restoring natural habitats has made a lasting impact on the country’s biodiversity and the global movement for conservation, is being recognized at this level,” said Ambassador Brieger.
Ann Dumaliang, National Geographic explorer, Ashoka fellow, 1t.org Advisory board member, and managing trustee of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, said, “This award affirms the urgent need to protect our forests, support environmental defenders, and take large, decisive actions against the climate crisis… Now, more than ever, we must work together to safeguard our earth’s life-giving ecosystems, choosing action and bravery especially when it seems difficult. All of us have a role to play in enabling a solution and the future our countrymen and future generations deserve.”
The highly anticipated global awards ceremony is expected to take place in a few months, organized by the Energy Globe Foundation and Advantage Austria.
Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Johann Brieger and commercial counselor Arnulf Gressel present the globally important award to the Masungi Geopark Project, represent- ed by Ben (rightmost, standing), Ann and Billie Dumaliang (front row).
