June 29, 2024, Arcadis Philippines Inc. planted 200 indigenous trees in a reforestation effort. The event, held in Siniloan, Laguna, Sierra Mountain Ranges and in collaboration with FEED UPLB and the local community was a success, with participants showing great enthusiasm and dedication to connecting with nature. The day began with opening remarks from forester Reynaldo Lorida, who emphasized the importance of reforestation and the role of indigenous trees in maintaining ecological balance. Following the opening remarks, Diane Penales of FEED, led the participants in a power warm-up session, energizing everyone for the trek ahead.
Adora Gabuya, Corporate Social Responsibility Head and CCM Associate Director at Arcadis Philippines Inc., said: “At Arcadis Philippines, we are committed to promoting environmental sustainability not just through our work, but also through our actions. Tree planting initiatives have been a cornerstone of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities for the past three years, and we’re proud of the positive impact it has brought. This year, we’d especially like to thank FEED Inc. and the local community for their partnership in making our reforestation efforts a success.We look forward to continuing this important work together.”
Hertricia Mariano, Director and EMS Manager at Arcadis Philippines Inc., said:
“Planting 200 native trees in a day shows how collective action, no matter how small the group, can help restore the vital shield of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Our team at Arcadis came together to not only give back to the environment but also learn the importance of reforestation. Thank you to FEED, UPLB, and the local community for making our activity a success. Together, let’s continue to foster a greener future, one tree and one community at a time.”
The choice to plant Philippine indigenous trees is important. Indigenous trees are those that are native to a specific region, having evolved and adapted to the local climate, soil, and ecosystem. This makes them incredibly valuable for several reasons:
Ecological Benefits
- Biodiversity: Indigenous trees support local wildlife, providing habitat and food for various species of birds, insects, and mammals. They play a crucial role in maintaining the region’s biodiversity.
- Soil Health: Native trees help in maintaining soil fertility and structure. Their deep root systems prevent soil erosion and promote water infiltration, which is essential for the health of the watershed; this is one of our goals in our reef to ridge program.
- Climate Resilience: Indigenous trees are well-adapted to the local climate and can withstand extreme weather conditions better than non-native species. This resilience is crucial in the face of climate change, ensuring the stability of local ecosystems.
Cultural and Social Significance
- Heritage: Indigenous trees are a part of the cultural heritage of the Philippines. They have historical and cultural significance, often being used in traditional medicine, rituals, and crafts.
- Community Engagement: Planting native trees fosters a sense of community and responsibility towards the environment. It is a tangible way for people to contribute to the conservation of their natural heritage.
Environmental Sustainability
- Water Conservation: Native trees have evolved to make efficient use of the available water, helping in the conservation of this vital resource. Their presence can improve the water cycle in the area.
- Carbon Sequestration: Trees, in general, are excellent carbon sinks. Indigenous trees, being well-suited to the local environment, grow robustly and sequester carbon effectively, contributing to the fight against global warming.
The reforestation event with Arcadis Philippines Inc. was a perfect blend of environmental action and community work. The participants, with a shared goal of ecological preservation, actively engaged in the tree-planting activities. The fine weather added to the positive atmosphere, making the experience fulfilling for everyone. This initiative means Arcadis Philippines Inc.’s commitment to sustainability. By choosing to plant indigenous trees, they are not only contributing to the immediate goal of reforestation but also supporting long-term ecological balance and community well-being.
As the newly planted trees grow and thrive, they will stand as a symbol of the collective effort to nurture and protect the environment. Species planted are sourced from the community based nursery as part of an extension livelihood program: 25 lipote, 80 Kupang, 15 Balitbitan and 80 Wild rambutan for the total of 200 planted, also facilitated by forest guardians: Reynaldo E. Lorida (Site Manager), Randy Velina, Allan Libarnes. Shermae Canzana, Rose Bocado, Joel Velina, Roger Glipo and Eric Veribi.
This event serves as a reminder of the critical role that each individual and organization can play in creating a sustainable future for generations to come. Thank you ARCADIS PHILIPPINES ECOWARRIORS!
About Arcadis Philippines
Arcadis is a Global Design and Consultancy firm for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets.
Arcadis Philippines Inc. is the country’s leading provider of construction consultancy services for natural and built assets. We are a firm recognized for creating value for our clients and improving the quality of life, creating solutions based on a blend of services. Having worked on various projects nationwide, covering both the private and public sectors. Our diverse sets of services cater for infrastructure, residential, commercial, industrial, education, health care, recreation facilities, hospitality and interior fit outs projects. The company’s experience allows it to continue leading and setting the standards for consultancy services within the Philippine Construction Market.
For more details, visit: https://careers.arcadis.com/
GPS Coordinates of Planting Site
Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include:
- https://www.gps-coordinates.net/
- https://gps-coordinates.org
- https://www.maps.ie/coordinates.htmlhttp://www.mapcoordinates.net/en
Empowering Communities: The Latest in Community-Based Forestry in the Philippines
In the Philippines, community-based forestry (CBF) has emerged as a powerful tool for both conservation and sustainable development. Empowering local communities to become stewards of their forests, CBF initiatives have gained momentum in recent years, bringing about positive changes in forest management practices and enhancing the well-being of forest-dependent communities. Here’s an update on the latest developments in community-based forestry across the archipelago.
Strengthening Local Governance
One of the key advancements in community-based forestry in the Philippines is the strengthening of local governance structures. Through devolved forest management agreements and community-based forest management agreements (CBFMA), indigenous peoples and local communities are granted rights to manage and protect forest resources within their ancestral domains or designated areas. This decentralization of forest governance empowers communities to make decisions that are aligned with their cultural values and socio-economic priorities.
Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods
CBF initiatives in the Philippines prioritize the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. By diversifying income-generating activities such as agroforestry, eco-tourism, non-timber forest product (NTFP) harvesting, and community-based enterprises, CBF not only reduces dependence on forest resources but also improves socio-economic resilience. These initiatives are often complemented by capacity-building programs and technical assistance to enhance the skills and knowledge of community members.
Enhancing Ecosystem Resilience
In addition to socio-economic benefits, community-based forestry contributes to the conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems. By implementing sustainable forest management practices, including reforestation, watershed protection, and biodiversity conservation measures, communities play a vital role in enhancing ecosystem resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices are integrated into forest management plans, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage and biological diversity.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress made, community-based forestry in the Philippines still faces challenges such as limited access to resources, insecure land tenure, conflicting land uses, and inadequate support from government agencies. However, there are also opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Strengthening partnerships between government, civil society, academia, and the private sector can help address these challenges and scale up successful CBF models.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, community-based forestry holds immense potential for fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship in the Philippines. By recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, promoting participatory decision-making processes, and integrating traditional knowledge with modern science, CBF can pave the way for inclusive and resilient forest management practices that benefit both people and the planet.
Community-based forestry is not just about managing forests; it’s about nurturing relationships between people and nature, fostering a sense of belonging, and building a brighter future for generations to come.
References:
- DENR. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management.
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management in the Philippines.
- USAID Philippines. (2022). Philippines Sustainable Forest Management Project.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management.
On Carbon Sequestration and Planting
Storing carbon is only one of the ways that trees could affect climate, says Cat Scott, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Leeds in England who was not involved in the research. Just how these other factors play off each other is not yet clear. She and colleagues have developed computer simulations of trees contributing to cooling a landscape by releasing airborne molecules that invite clouds to form.
Even something as simple as the darkness of tree leaves can change how much heat a landscape absorbs or reflects. Expanding forests into formerly snow-bright, reflective zones, for instance, might warm them. In the tropics, however, the enhanced cooling from clouds might be the more powerful effect.
Ultimately, in the struggle against climate change, such heroic tree planting merely “buys us time,” says study coauthor Jean-François Bastin, also an ecologist at ETH Zurich. But that’s time human societies could use to stop emitting greenhouse gases, the real solution to climate change, he says.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/planting-trees-could-buy-more-time-fight-climate-change-thought
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.
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.
Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
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 tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
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