02 June 2023, UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant, Siniloan, Laguna. 25 ultra enthusiastic participants from Aspen Philippines charged up their trail to add another 400 trees, during their 15th planting with FEED, this last one focused on community-based upland reforestation.
Since 2017, hundreds of Aspenites from all over Luzon have gathered through their own chosen environmental advocacy to form a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaign to save the environment. This CSR planting was back to where they initially started, in upland reforestation, typically the “easier” environmental intervention in the R2R approach. (See Related Articles below)
FEED Ambassador Marcelina “Ace” Itchn, CEO of Aspen Philippines, who was present in majority of their Ridge to REEF plantings, said: “It’s been so long since we were last here (2019), but the Forest never leaves you once you got the bug to plant!” She is also the pioneer in Aspen Philippines, as their first employee back in 2012, who said: “I could paint forever…” and she seems to be doing just that. We beed more Aspens in this world!
Congratulations Aspen Philippines Ecowarriors, may the forest be with you always!
Photo Gallery & GPS Coordinates
Nurturing Nature’s Network: Ridge to Reef Conservation in the Philippines
By ChatGPT
Source: UPLB
In the archipelagic embrace of the Philippines, where vibrant marine ecosystems meet lush terrestrial landscapes, lies a conservation approach as dynamic as its natural diversity: Ridge to Reef (R2R). This holistic strategy recognizes the intrinsic connections between upland watersheds and coastal reefs, offering a comprehensive framework for safeguarding the country’s invaluable biodiversity.
Understanding Ridge to Reef Conservation
Ridge to Reef conservation in the Philippines is a proactive response to the intricate interplay between land and sea ecosystems. It encompasses initiatives aimed at preserving not only terrestrial habitats but also marine environments, acknowledging that the health of one directly impacts the other. By adopting an integrated approach, R2R seeks to address the root causes of environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.
Addressing Environmental Challenges
The Philippines faces a host of environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, coastal pollution, overfishing, and coral reef degradation. These issues threaten the ecological integrity of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos who depend on these resources. R2R initiatives aim to mitigate these challenges by fostering collaboration among various stakeholders and implementing targeted conservation actions.
Source: FEED. Philippine Stock Exchange participant doing coral propagation, San Juan, La Union.
Implementation of R2R Initiatives
Across the Philippines, numerous organizations, government agencies, and local communities are actively engaged in Ridge to Reef initiatives. These efforts encompass a wide range of activities, including reforestation and watershed management in upland areas, sustainable agriculture practices, coastal resource management, coral reef rehabilitation, and community-based ecotourism. By working together, these stakeholders strive to create resilient ecosystems and improve the well-being of coastal communities.
Achievements and Ongoing Efforts
Ridge to Reef conservation efforts in the Philippines have achieved significant milestones. Successful projects have demonstrated the efficacy of integrated approaches in restoring degraded habitats, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem services. However, the work is far from over, and ongoing efforts are needed to address emerging threats, such as climate change and unsustainable development.
Embracing the R2R Ethos
As individuals, there are several ways we can contribute to Ridge to Reef conservation in the Philippines. Supporting sustainable practices, reducing our carbon footprint, advocating for stronger environmental policies, and actively participating in conservation initiatives are all meaningful steps we can take. By embracing the R2R ethos, we can collectively work towards preserving the Philippines’ natural heritage for future generations.
References:
- DENR. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). (2022). Ridge to Reef Initiative.
- USAID Philippines. (2022). Ridge to Reef Program.
- Conservation International Philippines. (2022). Ridge to Reef Approach.
- Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF). (2022). Ridge to Reef Conservation.
About the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Longest in the Philippines
The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. Running in the north-south direction from the province of Cagayan to the north and Quezon to the south, the mountains form the eastern backbone of Luzon Island, the largest island of the archipelago. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Pacific coast of Luzon along the Sierra Madre is less developed as the lofty and continuous mountains form a bold and almost inaccessible shore, exposed to the full force of the northeast monsoon and the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Some of communities east of the mountain range and along the coast are so remote they are only accessible by plane or boat.
The country’s largest protected area, the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, is situated at the northern part of the range in the province of Isabela. The park is in the UNESCO tentative list for World Heritage List inscription. Environmentalists, scholars, and scientists have been urging the government to include the other parks within the Sierra Madre mountains for a UNESCO site that would encompass the entire Sierra Madre mountain range from Cagayan to Quezon province.
This and other mountain ranges serve as a typhoon barrier, attenuating incoming typhoons from the Pacific Ocean before reaching the central mainland. Source: Wikipedia
About Aspen Philippines, Inc.
Aspen Philippines Incorporated is the first South African pharmaceutical company in the Philippines. It started operating in January 2012 with only a handful of employees. But after a few months, it has rapidly increased to over 100 passionate Filipino staff.
With the company’s immediate and continued growth, its commitment becomes stronger. That is to meet the healthcare needs of Filipinos by providing a broad spectrum of high quality, effective, and affordable pharmaceutical products so that ultimately, lives can be sustained one day at a time.
Aspen Philippines’ range of products initially comprises of antibiotic, anti-hypertension, anti-gout, anti-platelet and anti-hypothyroidism. But the company continues to expand its reach, acquiring global brands in consumer healthcare, which include Dequadin, Kwell, and Valda Pastilles.
Now that Aspen has made its mark in the Philippines, Filipinos can now take advantage of an improved means to healthcare right at their fingertips.
More here: https://www.aspen.ph
Related ASPEN Articles
- ASPEN Philippines Achieves 14th Planting Ridge to Reef, Coral Propagation Awaits (29 Nov 2019)
- Aspen & South African Embassy Celebrate Mandela Day by Planting 1,500 Organic Vegetables for Teodora Cruz Elementary School, Bulacan (18 Jul 2019)
- Aspen Commits Another 800 New Philippine Forest Trees for Water Security and Storm Defence (7 Jun 2019)
- ASPEN Plants 2nd Food Forest & Garden for Dampol Elementary School, Bulacan (29 Mar 2019)
- Community Training to Grow Food with Balayong Elementary School – ASPEN’s 8th Planting with FEED (15 Dec 2018)
- Mandela’s Mangroves: ASPEN & South African Embassy Celebrate Madiba’s Centenary Through Planting (16 Jul 2018)
- ASPEN Reinforces the “Great Wall of Mangroves” with Bulacan’s Bantay Dagat (Dec 2017)
- “Ace” as FEED Ambassador. CEO of Aspen wants “to plant forever…” (Sep 2017)
- MAKE EVERY DAY A MANDELA DAY. Aspen Plants 200 Trees Honouring Madiba’s Legacy (July 2017)
- “You don’t have to be a forester to care for the environment”. Aspen Plants for the Fourth Time, Aiming to Reach their 1,500 Tree CSR Commitment in 2017 (July 2017)
- SAVE Participants Rehabilitate Philippine Forests that Help Improve the Quality of Human Life (June 2017)
- Millions of mangroves seedlings to be planted in Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite (May 2017)
- Aspen Philippines Honors Mercury Drug Founder as FEED Tributes its Partners (April 2017)
- Living Legacies: Purposeful Planting for your Own Cause (Jan 2017)
Contact FEED
FEED runs a number of Students and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE); Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – such as mangrove planting for coastal protection or ridge reforestation plantings; One Child, One Tree; Bio-Intensive Gardens (BIG) for nutrition in public elementary schools and other spaces; Climate Change Survival 101 and other LIVING LEGACY programs – customised environmental engagement activities for individuals and organisations interested in contributing to climate change adaptation efforts and greening critical areas such as watersheds, ridges, and reefs that all require rehabilitation.
Tree-Planting with FEED: Video
Check out the video journey by Clueless Commuter who planted with us last 24th of June 2017 to get a good idea of how FEED plantings go: https://youtu.be/KROn4rjVqBg
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own CSR Program: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.