Guinness formally recognizes Treevolution feat

DAVAO CITY-  The Guinness World Records (GWR) has formally recognized the record-breaking achievement of Treevolution: Greening MindaNow.

The massive tree-planting set the new world record achieved the planting of 2,294,629 trees, carried out last September 26, 2014 by 122,168 volunteers at 29 locations across Mindanao, Philippines.

As proof of the recognition the record-breaking achievement was posted yesterday (Feb. 23) at the website of the Guinness World Records.

“This is a huge feat for all Mindanawons, especially the volunteers and partners, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who showed overwhelming support in successful conduct of TreeVolution.” Says Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Lualhati Antonino.

About 4-million trees were planted but only 2,294,629 passed the stringent verification of Guinness. However this was enough to topple the previous record set by India by more than 30,000 trees.

Antonino said that the 4 million trees is about 1% of the target forest cover for Mindanao by 2016.

“These trees, once fully mature can supply oxygen to around 16 million people daily, or 75 percent of the total Mindanao population. There’s also no doubt on how the seedlings we planted could eventually minimize the impacts of climate change.” Antonino added.

The MinDA head reiterated that the success of the treevolution goes beyond breaking the world record.

TreeVolution has showed one overwhelming reaffirmation—that Mindanawons can unite for a common good, and that, we, Mindanawons, can truly become one for the environment. Antonino said. (PIA/RG Alama)