Silliman alumna receives prestigious MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2026

July 13–19, 2026

Silliman alumna receives prestigious MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2026

Silliman University proudly congratulates Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, a distinguished alumna and one of the Philippines’ foremost conservationists, for being named a recipient of the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2026.

Paguntalan-Marte shares this year’s honor with Dr. Alexandra Zimmermann of Germany, an internationally recognized leader in advancing human-wildlife coexistence.

The award was announced by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the AEON Environmental Foundation, which jointly confer the prestigious biennial prize.

Established in 2010 to commemorate the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CBD COP10), the MIDORI Prize recognizes individuals whose exceptional work has significantly advanced biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the realization of a more sustainable society.

For more than 25 years, Paguntalan-Marte has been at the forefront of biodiversity conservation in the Philippines. Her contributions include the rediscovery of species once believed extinct, the protection of threatened wildlife, and the translation of national biodiversity strategies into meaningful conservation initiatives at the local level.

Based in Negros Oriental and Bacolod, she has earned national and international recognition for her dedication to safeguarding the country’s rich natural heritage.

Notably, Paguntalan-Marte becomes the first Filipino recipient of the MIDORI Prize, bringing honor not only to the Philippines but also to her alma mater, Silliman University.

Her fellow laureate, Dr. Alexandra Zimmermann, has spent more than two decades shaping global research, policy, and practice on human-wildlife coexistence. Through her leadership, she has helped establish international networks and guidance that have elevated coexistence as a key issue in global biodiversity conservation.

According to the CBD Secretariat, the achievements of both laureates embody the leadership, dedication, and collaboration needed to advance the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and promote a world living in harmony with nature.

Each MIDORI Prize laureate receives USD 100,000 to support their continuing efforts in biodiversity conservation. The 2026 MIDORI Prize Award Ceremony and Laureates’ Forum will be held on August 27, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan.

The Silliman University community joins the global conservation community in celebrating Lisa Marie J. Paguntalan-Marte’s remarkable achievement and her enduring commitment to protecting biodiversity for future generations.

Lisa Marie J. Paguntalan-Marte earned both her BS Biology (1996) and MS Biology (2002) from Silliman University.