Adopt-a-Seedling Forest Restoration

The ProblemIn the 1600s, almost 97% of the Philippines’ total area of 30 million hectares (has) was covered with old growth forest. The previously spectacular forests of the Philippines are now remains of a past era. With only 22.8% cover left from 70% in the 1900s, the ecological services from this ecosystem are continuously declining. Numerous pressures to our forests like mining, timber poaching, and land conversion such as kaingin are the leading causes of forest loss. In addition, the use of invasive exotic species in tree planting programs exacerbates the degradation of our forests. StrategyThe Forests for Life (formerly known as ROAD to 2020) movement is an environmental conservation movement with a clear vision to restore one million hectares of Philippine rainforests using native tree species. The movement uses Rainforestation Technology, which is the planting native tree species in order to recover and conserve biodiversity, optimize our supply of forest benefits and ecosystem services, reduce the risks of natural hazards such as landslides, and provide options for sustainable livelihood.Planting native trees for forest restoration provides multiple benefits as native species are more adapted to the local environment, providing our wildlife with a familiar resource and with slower growing trees that live longer to sequester more CO2 in their lifespans.ADOPT-A-SEEDLINGYou can be part of the Forests for Life movement by joining our Adopt-a-Seedling program where individuals and groups can make a donation for a seedling to be planted in their name. Each seedling amounts to Php 300.00 and is inclusive of initial seedling production, community training and nursery establishment, livelihood incentives, site preparation and most importantly, maintenance and monitoring for 3 years with bi-annual monitoring reports. This way, our forest restoration projects are not only one-off events but rather it creates a lasting legacy to our forest lands and communities.Communities ServedOur community partners or partner People’s Organizations (PO) benefit from Haribon’s forest restoration as primary caretakers of the planted seedlings. Livelihood support is provided to PO members who are tasked to take care of the seedlings and its maintenance. Surrounding communities also benefit from restoration activities as it brings back ecological balance which ensures the continuous provision of ecological services (e.g. clean air, water, food, etc.). In the long term, healthy forests also protect us from extreme weather conditions and calamities such as storms, floods, and landslides brought about by climate change.Site Information The primary planting site is within the Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL) and the entry point is the Municipality of San Pablo, Laguna. The whole MBSCPL has a total land area of ten thousand nine hundred and 59/100 (10,900.59) hectares and is home to different native and endemic species, several of which are already threatened and in need of conservation.The travel time from Quezon City to the entry point of San Pablo, Laguna planting site is about two hours and thirty minutes.Ten (10) or more native tree species appropriate to the restoration site will be planted. Sample species may include, but are not limited to: Narra, Agoho, Molave, Antipolo, Guiho, Kamagong, Tobilas-tilos, Lauan, Tibig, Binunga, Malaruhat, Hauili, Lipote.For more details and activity coordination, you can also contact us through partnerships@haribon.org.ph or through our phone lines: (+63 2 8) 421 1209.