World Environment Day 2021

Al Marmoom Ultramarathon Celebrates World Environment Day 2021 in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

The UN World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June annually and this year focused on ‘Ecosystem Restoration.’ It will see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to help in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact.

Volunteers from leading organizations in Dubai, as well as the Dubai ultra- running community spent the morning cleaning a desert area near the Innovation Centre - part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.

The event was organized by Dubai Sports Council and Al Marmoom Ultramarathon in association with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and Dulsco. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and to inspire others - as well as make a positive practical difference.

David Stockton, CEO of Dulsco: “At Dulsco, we are dedicated to driving the message of environmental importance to the community, and being a part of the World Environment Day celebrations at Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is in line with our commitment to this. We are proud to be part of an event that spreads the message of preserving our environment and caring for the planet that we all share. A community-focused event such as this is an integral part of our vision at Dulsco, and we are delighted to work alongside other entities in the UAE to achieve this.”

Danil Bornventure, Race Director Al Marmoom Ultramarathon: ‘Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty set aside for us all to enjoy. The aim of the event was to bring together the community to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and inspiring others to do the same. It is important that all of us do our part in respecting the delicate desert ecosystem and protecting it for future generations’.

The event saw volunteers taking part in ‘plogging’ a popular exercise that involves jogging or walking whilst picking up litter. The term plogging originated in Sweden and comes from merging the Swedish verbs plocka upp (pick up) and jogga (jog). Plogging has become popular globally as it is considered an ideal community activity - good for health and for the environment.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve spans 10 % per cent of Dubai’s total area and is the largest unfenced nature reserve in the UAE. The reserve is open to the public and is also home to the region’s largest renewable energy project, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park.

Event Video: click here