On the bright morning of October 23, 2024, the Laguna Quezon Land Grant became the site of another remarkable ecological effort under the SAVE Planting initiative. This event welcomed Sir Darwin Kreft, a longtime friend and former teacher of FEED, Anne Marie Mananquil Bakker, whose dedication and hope for environmental conservation continue to inspire.

Despite the modest number of participants, their contribution reaffirmed the significance of collective action—proving that even small efforts can create a lasting impact.

The event saw the successful planting of 40 native Philippine tree seedlings—20 Kupang and 20 Babaysakan. These indigenous species are vital in maintaining ecological balance, as they have naturally adapted to local conditions over centuries. Their deep roots enhance water absorption, stabilize the soil, and help prevent landslides and floods, particularly in upland regions vulnerable to environmental degradation. Furthermore, they support biodiversity by providing food and habitat for native wildlife while requiring minimal human intervention for growth and sustainability.

This initiative aligns with the Ridge to Reef program, a holistic conservation strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems from the mountains to the sea. By restoring forest landscapes, stabilizing slopes, and mitigating flood risks, efforts like this extend their benefits beyond upland areas to coastal regions through mangrove and coral rehabilitation. The program not only strengthens climate resilience but also empowers local communities by creating alternative livelihoods and fostering environmental leadership.

The event also emphasized the ongoing Tree Nurturing Program and the critical role of the Sierra Madre in protecting Luzon from powerful typhoons. As the country’s longest mountain range, the Sierra Madre acts as a natural barrier, weakening storms before they reach densely populated areas. With climate change intensifying extreme weather events, preserving and restoring this mountain range is not just a conservation effort but a crucial step in disaster risk reduction.

Despite the persistent challenges of illegal logging, conservation advocates remain steadfast. Forester Rey Lorida underscored the urgency of addressing deforestation through stronger law enforcement, community vigilance, and sustainable livelihood programs. Protecting these forests requires continuous efforts from all sectors—government agencies, private organizations, and local communities.

While only two volunteers participated, their dedication was a powerful reminder that every small action counts. Each seedling planted represents hope—for biodiversity, climate action, and the well-being of future generations. Their commitment reinforced the idea that meaningful change begins with individuals willing to take the first step.

Heartfelt gratitude goes to Sir Darwin Kreft for his unwavering support, as well as to the local community—particularly the women who prepared a nourishing meal. Special appreciation is also extended to the Forest Guardians and facilitators, including Forester Rey Lorida and Rose Bocado, whose guidance made this initiative possible. As FEED continues to cultivate meaningful partnerships, this event marks another milestone in the ongoing journey of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Thank you Mr Darwin Kreft for helping us restore the Sierra Madres!

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:

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:

1. DENR. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management.
2. World Agroforestry (ICRAF). (2022). Community-Based Forest Management in the Philippines.
3. 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.

© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.