Utilize technology to empower local communities to help protect Sierra Madre and Mount Marklin

By 2029, with the support of local communities and 22m Gforest Green Heroes, 130,000 forests and fruit trees are planted in two land grants

The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) collaborates with GCASH through its Gforest program to address environmental threats such as illegal forest conversion and accelerate the recovery of degraded land within the Making Making Making Georeserve and Sierra Madre Madre Madre Madre Ranges. The strategic partnership aims to conserve and reforest, in the first phase, by planting at least 130,000 forests and fruit trees, 250 hectares of land in two land grants managed by UPLB, and another 25,000 seedlings are used for urban and curbside planting in parts of Making Making Georeserve.

As a center of excellence in forestry education, UPLB will implement its data-driven and science-based approach to identifying appropriate trees, strategic project areas, and adopt implementation strategies to ensure that environmental protection and afforestation work translates into meaningful long-term impacts.

Academic institutions also seek to empower local communities through livelihood opportunities and ongoing participation using their local communities as long-term partners in the field of cultivation and management. These include women’s groups, people’s organizations and qualified UPLB community members.

UPLB also seeks participation and support from relevant local government departments in Laguna (LGUS), municipalities in Quezon Province, as well as national government agencies such as the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (dict).

The ceremony contract led by UPLB, its Institute of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), Land Grant Management Office (LGMO) and GCASH was signed and supported by its 22 million GFUD Green Heroes, committed to managing the 250 hectares of forest and fruit trees in both land grant areas, and 130,000 hectares of forest and fruit on the mountain.

In addition, 10 km of roads in the Making forest reserve will be planted and species that are very suitable for urban environments will be planted. Another 25,000 seedlings will also be planted in roadside plantings across Laguna Province.

Curbside planting in Makinger Makinger Georeserve will provide a variety of benefits, including environmental, social and economic advantages. In terms of environmental impact, it will lead to improved air and temperature quality, carbon sequestration, noise reduction, reduced urban flooding, pollination support and urban wildlife habitat. From a social and economic perspective, it can improve recreational opportunities and spiritual well-being, lead to energy savings and increase property value.

“Sierra Madre is one of our last borders [our remaining] Intact Forest,” UPLB-CFNR Dean Marlo D. Mendoza, MDM. [This] Rich in biodiversity [and is] It is high in its original meaning, which means that many species in the Madresera Mountains can only be found there or [can be found in] Philippines and not the rest of the world. ”

Luzon’s backbone opposes natural hazards

The Sierra Mountains, about 600 kilometers from Cagayan to Quezon Province, are known as the “backbone of Luzon” and are home to lush forests and important watersheds that support the country’s diverse wildlife population. Additionally, it is a natural shield against typhoons from the Pacific Ocean, protecting the Philippines by weakening and redirecting winds before reaching the inland areas.

The ultimate goal of the UPLB and GCASH reforestation program is to help restore and strengthen parts of the UP Sierra Madre Land Grant. The trees planted are designed to transform degraded land (formerly logging, wood poaching and unsustainable farming) into ecosystems of thriving tall native forest species that form closed or semi-enclosed canopies.

The success of the program is based on UPLB’s procurement process, which focuses on native tree species that adapt to the local environment and support biodiversity. UPLB researchers selected a variety of native species, such as Mayapis, Apitong, White Lauan, Almon and Palosapis, which could support canopy recovery while promoting ecological diversity.

Meanwhile, native tree species in urban areas, such as Salingogon, Katmon, Aunasin and Pamitoyen, were selected based on tree building, height, climate adaptability, and the benefits provided, such as aesthetic values, shadows, pollution, reduction of pollution and the health of wildlife. To complete the project in the coming months, UPLB will also recruit help from local communities to oversee subsequent planting, nursing, monitoring and evaluation activities.

By advocating for collaboration among scientists, collaboration among organizations such as GCASH, this partnership creates a holistic approach to addressing environmental challenges, increasing resilience and turning residents into long-term environmental managers. The program includes community-based monitoring to ensure survival rates and sustained ecological and social benefits.

“We are excited about this new partnership with Gcash because it enables us to explore the environmental and socio-economic impacts of afforestation,” Mendoza said. “We can jointly implement UPLB-proven approaches to maximize the benefits of ecosystems and local communities.”

“Through this partnership, GCASH continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability. As a technology with a good platform, we can enable users to use sustainability partners and environmental agencies such as UPLB and contribute to the real-world environmental efforts,” said CJ Alegre, head of sustainability at GCASH. “At GCASH, we believe technology can be a powerful tool for positive change.”

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