9 December 2020, Sierra Madres Mountain Range, Siniloan, Laguna. 151 native Philippine agroforestry species of upland trees – 21 White Lauan, 40 Bani, 25 Palosanto, 40 Malaruhat, and 25 Guyabano – were sponsored for the community-based reforestation program at the Laguna Quezon Land Grant in Siniloan, Laguna thanks to the regular donations of Yoginis: Alison Berg, Jason Berg, Kathleen Barretto, Angelica Maranan, Theresa Miles, Jeff Stern, Hillary Wasserman and a co-donation from FEED.
Since June 2020, when Yoga for Trees was launched by Joyce and FEED, they have achieved 455 native trees cumulatively planted at the protected over 9,000 hectare Laguna Quezon Land Grant in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The trees were planted also with thanks to the following forest guards:
| 1. Reynaldo E. Lorida | 7. Senando C. Velina |
| 2. Renato Q. Dagumboy | 8. Armando L. Atip |
| 3. Leody A. Avenido | 9. Romeo C. Calamucha |
| 4. Anselmo M. Ella | 10. Albert I. Bagayan |
| 5. Lauro G. Rizaldo | 11. Bryan C. Bacasen |
| 6. Deraño G. Alawas |
About the Laguna Quezon Land Grant
Laguna Quezon Land Grant suffered from deforestation, slash and burn for agricultural development, charcoal making and human settlements. In the early 1990s, FEED and the University of the Philippines carried out reforestation efforts with the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the FEED-coined “Living Legacy: Plant a Tree, FEED our Future” program to address the issue of deforestation. In time, with growing interest from the private sector, government and the public at large, FEED developed its Climate Change Action Programs to address the also rapidly increasing CSR and volunteer movements addressing environmental conservation, ensuring community-based Ridge to Reef reforestation approach in order to also provide alternative livelihood opportunities for surrounding villages.
Long term survival is as critical as tree-planting is to sustainable reforestation programs, which is why all FEED plantings aim to achieve and have so far sustained survival rates of at least 85 percent of all species planted, making sure they thrive for future generations too.
The Laguna-Quezon Land Grant covers a 6,765-hectare property acquired by the UPLB by virtue of Republic Act 3608 of 1930, forming the larger part adjacent to the Laguna Land Grant in Paete, Laguna. Reforestation and biodiversity conservation remain the core focus of both land grants 90 years after its establishment, since majority of the remaining forest cover of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range is home to a last bastion for many species that have become endangered in other parts of the country.
The Sierra Madres span 690 km (430 miles) and is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. Through the north-south direction from Santa Ana in the province of Cagayan to the north and Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon to the south, the mountains form the eastern backbone of Luzon Island.
Thank you and May the Forest Be With You All, Yoginis!
About Yoga for Forests – By Joyce Raboca, Founder
“I started my yoga journey in 2013, and the more I practiced, the more I saw a strong connection between yoga and the environment. After some very stressful four years in law school, I finally took my yoga teacher training in February 2019 in Costa Rica, with a daily dose of forests, animals, surfable waves, and the most serene sunsets.
I didn’t intend on teaching yoga, but during the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Manila, I started teaching friends online. It turned into a regular weekly class, with more and more joining. I was willing to teach for free, because I knew how much people need yoga now.
People started offering to pay, but I didn’t want to accept money — I believed this would negatively reinforce my willingness to teach. After much thought, I realized I wanted all my students to plant a forest. By donating trees, they’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment from their yoga practice. As natural carbon sinks, forests and mangroves are some of our strongest defenses against climate change.”
Vision/Mission
To create an awareness of the environment with each yogi recruited, and with that a whole forest planted by sponsorship from yogis.
All donations go directly to FEED for community-based reforestation efforts, either in mangrove forests of Bulacan, Pampanga, La Union or Sorsogon for coastal protection in our most critical coastlines (Philippines having the 5th longest in the world); or upland forest trees in the Sierra Madre mountain range, the longest range in the Philippines.
Contact Joyce Raboca / Yoga for Forests
Classes are one-hour Vinyasa classes on Wednesdays 8:00AM (GMT+8). Join my yoga class by emailing me with your donation receipt to Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc. at https://www.facebook.com/yogaforforests and I’ll send you a calendar invite with the Zoom link to class. (Any amount is accepted!)
For More Details, Contact: joyceanneraboca@gmail.com
Contact FEED
In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry. Join us!
Tree-Planting with FEED
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.