Скачать или смотреть Protecting Dugongs & Seagrass Ecosystems in the Philippines - Project Lawud - Seed Prize Winner 2025

In the waters of Sarangani Bay, Philippines, a quiet extinction is unfolding. Dugongs– gentle, herbivorous marine mammals– are now critically endangered in the region, their populations down by 64%.

Project Lawud is a youth-led conservation initiative working to protect these keystone species and the seagrass meadows they depend on. Dugongs help maintain healthy seagrass ecosystems that stabilise coastlines, store carbon, and support marine biodiversity.

Led by five young conservationists from Mindanao, the team blends marine biology, education, and local knowledge to map dugong habitats, identify threats, and build community awareness. Their efforts span six coastal communities, combining science and culture to protect both species and livelihoods.

Thank you to Department of Environment and Natural Resources 12 and Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape for the dugong drone footage.
Credits to Kabpapagariya Ensemble for the introduction music.

💜 Stay Connected
Website: https://theirisproject.org
Instagram:   / theiris_project  
LinkedIn:   / theiris-project  

🌱 About The Iris Project
The Iris Project empowers young changemakers who are committed to protecting and restoring nature in their communities. Through its annual Iris Prize, the project provides trust-based, flexible grants, mentorship and bespoke capacity-building to support these initiatives.

🏆 About The Iris Prize
The prize has three categories: The Iris Prize of $15,000 for ages 16-24, aimed at established projects ready to scale; the Stem Prize of $10,000 for small-scale initiatives by the same age group; and the Seed Prize of $5,000 for individuals aged 14-24 with projects still in the conceptual phase.

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