Butuan City, June 5, 2025 — More than 570 participants from across government agencies, private groups, schools, and civil society organizations joined the “Connecting Landscapes Fun Run” on Wednesday, an event spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga and PENRO Agusan del Norte, in partnership with the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The activity, which began and ended at Robinsons Mall in Butuan City, was held in celebration of two major environmental observances: the 27th Philippine Eagle Week (PEW) and World Environment Day (WED). This year’s PEW carries the theme “Soaring Together: Empowering Communities, Educating Minds, and Protecting the Philippine Eagle,” while WED highlights the urgent global call to action under the banner “Ending Global Plastic Pollution.”
Participants ran a route covering JC Aquino Avenue, Bonbon Diversion Road, and the Robinsons Bus Terminal, turning the city streets into a moving symbol of unity for environmental conservation.
The event aimed to promote awareness about the ecological importance of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, a critical habitat of the endangered Philippine Eagle. Organizers emphasized that the corridor is not only essential to wildlife but also sustains Indigenous Peoples and local communities who rely on its biodiversity and ecosystem services.
DENR Caraga OIC-Regional Executive Director Maritess M. Ocampo, in her address after the run, reminded participants of the deeper meaning behind the event.
“Today, we are not just running across kilometers. We are crossing bridges—between ecosystems, communities, generations, and hope,” she said. “Every stride we make this day echoes a collective promise: to live in harmony with nature and secure a better future for all.”
Director Ocampo also highlighted the role of the DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project in addressing pressing environmental challenges and called for stronger partnerships, youth involvement, and recognition of Indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts.
The “Connecting Landscapes Fun Run” marked not just a physical activity but a collective statement in support of protecting biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and creating a more sustainable future for all.