La Mesa Ecopark
   Photo: La Mesa Ecopark

La Mesa Ecopark is located in Quezon City, close to the reservoir of the same name, which provides drinking water to 12 million residents of Metro Manila metropolitan area. Reservoir Area - 2700 hectares, of which just a tank takes only 700 hectares, while the remaining 2,000 hectares are covered with forest. A huge green area is the "lungs" of the city.

For a long time the reservoir area was in disrepair due to lack of funding illegal settlements on its banks, poaching and deforestation. Fortunately, in 1999 the organization was created "Nature Watch", which initiated the project to save the La Mesa. One of the aims of the project was to restore the forest cover and landscaping. Total area, needs restoration, was more than 1, 5 thousand hectares, and today there are only 158 hectares planted. The project actively involved residents of Quezon that can "adopt" a tree.

In addition, the project has created a public park on an area of ​​33 hectares at 40 meters below the reservoir. In 2004, it was officially opened and was named "La Mesa Ecopark". All proceeds from its activities are to protect the territory of the reservoir. One of the main tasks of the park in addition to the organization of recreational activities is the environmental education of children. Pupils and students use the park and its surroundings as a "live" laboratory to study natural phenomena and processes. Only in 2006 La Mesa has visited more than 280 school groups from across the country.

Today, La Mesa Ecopark is one of the favorite places of the residents of Manila and Quezon. Here, in an area of ​​5 ha arranged a special picnic areas that are never empty. Lovers of water treatments can take a swim in the saltwater pool. In a special artificial lake give hire catamarans, another lake is for fishing enthusiasts. On the fitness trail located on 17 different zones with gym and sports facilities, and the very path leads to the forest where you can go mountain biking. Exhibit ecomuseum acquainted with the history of environmental education and nature conservation movement. Finally, it is especially popular eco-trail of the Butterflies, which leads to an amazing and wonderful world of these fragile creatures.

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