26 October 2024, Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Siniloan, UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant. Inspired by the donation of Mr. Darwin Kraft, a teacher who once taught High School and Baccalaureate Psychology at the International School Manila (ISM) for decades, who then went on to guide students as a High School Counsellor in the US prior to retirement, 40 trees were planted in his name in the Sierra Madre mountain range, at the UP Laguna Quezon Land Grant in Siniloan, Laguna.
Mr Darwin Kreft with his wife Dinna de Leon Kreft and Anne..
FEED’s Director of Partnerships, a once-student in Mr Kreft’s classroom in the 90s, attributes his teaching prowess to an innate desire to help those in need (and inspiring the rest of us impacted to do the same):
“Maybe this is one of the many reasons Mr Darwin Kreft has travelled and continues to travel many ways, to share his cures and coachings, being an all around MVP as well as magna cum laude in and out of schooling. He claims he is in his 70s, yet like a seasoned monk Mr Kreft retains both youthful spirt with sound and profound teachings. Seeing you – approx 30yrs after the only Psych class I ever took out of curiosity – you still resonate and remind of the significance, service and song in the pursuit and practice of authenticity. Education needs more of such learnings, you made a lot of sense from much nonsense in HS – and you still do on point. May we all know how (tall) to stand humbled by history, presence and eternity in any pine forest; conquer solo Kilimanjaros on any bike. If every child had a chance to discover kismet in consciousness, they would surely know their space in this cosmos. Asante Sana, Salamat and Namaste. 🙏🏾 May many continue to find their way in a not so Mad world, thanks to Gurus like you! ❤️ #oneforall, #allforone. #TheOddysey”
World Teachers’ Day is an international day held annually on 5 October to celebrate the work of teachers. Established in 1994, it commemorates the signing of recommendation by the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Anne also reflected after reuniting with Mr Kreft after 30 yrs: What’s mine or your butterfly effect? What would Chat GPT say about it?
“What could be an imagined butterfly effect in reforestation? ChatGPT said:
An imagined butterfly effect in reforestation could involve a seemingly small, localized action leading to a series of unexpected, far-reaching consequences that ultimately impact ecosystems and even human societies in profound ways. Here’s one possible scenario:
The Butterfly Effect: A Single Tree Planted in a Remote Region
The Initial Action: In a small, overlooked village at the edge of a tropical rainforest, a local environmentalist plants a single tree sapling—an indigenous species that had once been abundant in the region but had since disappeared due to deforestation. The tree is planted in an area that is not heavily monitored or considered a critical part of any major conservation project.
The First Ripple: The sapling begins to grow, attracting local wildlife. Its flowers provide nectar for pollinators that have been scarce in the region, and its leaves start to offer shelter for small birds and insects. Over time, a few more trees of the same species sprout nearby, either through natural regeneration or by intentional planting by local residents who become inspired by the tree’s resilience and ecological benefits.
A Growing Impact: As the trees spread, they help restore soil quality, preventing erosion and improving water retention. This shift encourages nearby farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices, and they notice improved crop yields due to the better soil conditions and microclimate created by the trees. Some farmers even stop using harmful pesticides, as natural predators of pests reappear.
Local Economic Transformation: The village, once struggling economically, starts to benefit from increased biodiversity. The presence of pollinators boosts the productivity of both wild and cultivated crops, and the village becomes known for its “regenerative” farming practices. The area also becomes a niche eco-tourism destination, attracting visitors who want to experience the burgeoning ecosystem and learn about sustainable land management.
Wider Ecological Restoration: Over the course of several years, neighboring communities adopt similar reforestation practices, and the trees planted in this small village form part of a larger network of reforested areas. The region’s wildlife corridors are restored, allowing species to migrate freely and reestablish populations that had been in decline. A rare species of frog, once thought to be extinct in the region, is rediscovered in this newly restored environment, which draws attention from global conservation organizations.
Global Influence: The success story spreads across social media and environmental circles, inspiring a larger global movement for reforestation. International organizations and governments take note, initiating large-scale reforestation projects based on the principles that were first tested in this small village. A coalition of nations commits to reversing deforestation and regenerating ecosystems worldwide.
The Unforeseen Consequence: A decade later, as the movement grows and the environmental landscape changes globally, the cumulative effects of widespread reforestation contribute to a stabilization of the global climate, slightly lowering atmospheric CO2 levels. Additionally, the restoration of biodiversity has led to the resurgence of medicinal plants, some of which are found to have life-saving properties that have profound impacts on global healthcare.
Final Outcome: What began as the planting of a single tree in a remote village—an action driven by local passion and foresight—sets off a chain of events that transforms ecosystems, local economies, global conservation strategies, and even human health, demonstrating how a small decision in reforestation can have vast, unpredictable effects on the world.
This butterfly effect highlights how seemingly minor actions in the context of environmental restoration can have cascading effects, triggering a ripple of positive outcomes that reach far beyond the immediate context.”
One seed goes a long way.
Tree-Planting with FEED
Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
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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