Two Million Mangroves: Boris Herrmann's Malizia Mangrove Park achieves another milestone

The Malizia Mangrove Park has reached a new milestone in its restoration efforts: two million mangroves © Uli Kunz / Malizia Mangrove Park

By surpassing its goal of 2 million mangroves, the Malizia Mangrove Park has reached another significant milestone in its efforts to turn the tide, protect mangrove forests, and positively impact climate change. Building on this achievement, the team now sets its sights on a new target of restoring 5 million mangroves and the launch of its mangrove subscription.

"Just over seven months after setting the ambitious goal of restoring 2 million mangroves, we are pleased to announce that the Malizia Mangrove Park has already surpassed this milestone", said Team Malizia's skipper Boris Herrmann. "Together with the Mama Earth Foundation, we created the Malizia Mangrove Park in the Philippines where half the mangroves were lost over the past 100 years. This new achievement marks a significant step forward in our commitment to combat climate change, restore biodiversity, and protect our coastal ecosystems."

Established in 2020, the Malizia Mangrove Park makes an important contribution to the restoration of this coastal ecosystem, provides a better income for local residents, and the mangroves bind large quantities of carbon dioxide. In teaming up with experts from the Davao Oriental State University and local community, the goal of the park was to plant one million mangroves next to the existing ones.

"Thanks to donations worldwide, we surpassed that goal last March and had set the ambitious goal of planting the next million - and here we are!", added the German offshore sailor. "This new achievement was made possible in large part by the support from our main partner Zurich." The restoration of mangroves plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, enhancing marine biodiversity, and safeguarding coastal communities from erosion and extreme weather events. With the contributions and steadfast commitment to sustainability from Zurich as well as from all the other partners, private donors, and fans, the Malizia Mangrove Park has not only met its goal but also laid the foundation for future restoration efforts.

"We are very pleased to be working with Boris and his team in so many different sustainability areas to promote climate protection," says Dr. Carsten Schildknecht, CEO of Zurich Group Germany. "In a world facing complex ecological, social and economic challenges, each and every one of us is responsible for making a positive contribution. As a company, we want to leverage potential and promote new approaches in science and research that demonstrably contribute to environmental and climate protection. With this aspiration, we have exactly the right partner at our side with Boris and his mission. Congratulations to the whole team for restoring this for the climate so important piece of Earth."

"Our aim is to restore the forest in Mati to a point where the mangroves can reproduce themselves and where, in the long-run, no further human help is needed", commented Boris Herrmann. "By setting these ambitious million marks, we break down what seems like an impossible task into achievable milestones, and push us, as well as motivate others, to take further action to protect an invaluable ecosystem", said the round-the-world sailor.

Boris Herrmann added: "This is why, as we celebrate today's remarkable achievement, we are excited to announce our next target of planting 5 million mangroves, as well as the launch of our mangrove subscription." The idea of the mangrove subscription is to offer a way for people to make a meaningful, lasting contribution to the environment with a new mangrove planted on their behalf each day. With this plan, 365 mangroves are planted annually for 125 euros per year. If not cancelled, the subscription automatically renews each year. For subscribers, it is reassuring to know that every day, something positive is happening to counteract climate change and biodiversity loss.

"With continued support from partners, who for some have seamlessly integrated donations into their daily operations, and from anonymous donors, fans, friends and organisations, we are confident that we can reach these new milestones and make an even greater positive impact on the environment", commented Boris Herrmann. "As I set sail in the Vendée Globe race in two weeks, I hope to gather even more support for this cause and raise awareness of the importance of restoring our mangrove ecosystems. Together, we can drive meaningful change and create a sustainable future for all."

Team Malizia's A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its seven main partners: EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, and the Yacht Club de Monaco. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.

Do you want to take action too and donate some mangroves today or learn more about our mangrove subscription? Then click here to do so. To learn more about mangroves and why they are incredibly valuable to our planet, read our article here.