October 3, 2025 · The largest contiguous mangroveLocal Climate & EcologyMangrovesCoastal forests that buffer storm surge, nurse fisheries, and store blue carbon at rates land forests can't match. The Philippines has lost roughly half its cover in a century.Read more in the Glossary → forest in the Philippines joins the global Top 100 Green Destinations list, an annual initiative by Netherlands-based non-profit Green Destinations that recognizes stories of communities working towards sustainable development.
The recognition highlights how Del Carmen, Siargao Island, also known as the country’s “illegal mangrove cutting capital,” was transformed into its largest mangrove forest through the community’s conservation efforts.
“We hope to inspire and encourage other organizations and local governments to support Del Carmen Mangrove Ecosystems preservation and replicate our initiative to protect more lives and livelihood of coastal and small island communities,” Mayor Alfredo Coro II told MindaNews.
