EAAFP MOP Side-event

In November 2024, Mangrove Matters PH partnered with the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Youth Task Force to organize the launch of Flyway Friends: A Long Journey Home during the 12th Meeting of Partners (MOP12) of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership in Cebu, Philippines.

Held at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, the event marked the first activity organized by the EAAFP Youth Task Force during MOP12 and celebrated the publication of a children's storybook that promotes awareness of migratory waterbirds, wetlands, and flyway conservation. The book was authored and illustrated by Mary Queen Agdalipe, Grants and Partnerships Officer of Mangrove Matters PH and a member of the EAAFP Youth Task Force.

The launch brought together conservation practitioners, educators, youth leaders, and international delegates to highlight the importance of environmental education in fostering appreciation for migratory species and their habitats. Through storytelling and creative communication, the initiative aimed to make conservation concepts more accessible to younger audiences while encouraging greater public engagement in wetland and biodiversity protection.

The event reflected Mangrove Matters PH's commitment to supporting youth-led conservation initiatives and advancing environmental education through innovative and inclusive approaches. It also demonstrated the vital role of young people in promoting awareness and stewardship for the ecosystems that connect communities across the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.