The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) teamed up with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to launch the “Biodiversity Crisis Escape Room”—an interactive new attraction at The Mind Museum in Taguig City.
The launching of the escape room coincided with the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. The new attraction aims to educate children and adults on safeguarding the natural world.
“Biodiversity loss not only threatens the survival of countless species but also undermines the stability of ecosystems and the services they provide, impacting human well-being and livelihoods,” USAID Philippines deputy mission director Rebekah Eubanks said.
“We must all become active participants in this plan to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity for future generations,” she said.
Developed in partnership with the Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc. and funded through USAID’s P1.35-billion ($25 million) Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans and Landscapes (SIBOL) initiative, the facility offers a hands-on learning experience for visitors who will have to solve unique biodiversity-related puzzles and challenges to exit the room.
Younger visitors will also enjoy the escape room’s accompanying television program called “MIND S-COOL” which features puppet characters navigating through a biodiversity crisis.
It will run until May 31, with tickets priced at P150. Following its run in Taguig City, the attraction will also tour other locations, including Subic (Harbor Point, June 15 to 16), Puerto Princesa City (Robinson’s Mall, June 29 to 30) and Davao City (Abreeza Mall, July 27-28).
The escape room will eventually return as a regular attraction at The Mind Museum in August.
The Philippines is one of 18 megadiverse countries in the world, hosting 70 percent of the Earth’s flora and fauna. The USAID supports the Philippines’ efforts to achieve a resilient environment and inclusive green growth.