Haribon Foundation’s HARI Ecovan Biodiversity on Wheels (BOW) program continued its journey to raise environmental awareness and conservation in Antipolo, Rizal during the Assumption Antipolo’s Arts and Academics Week last February 2015.
Rekindling Biodiversity Awareness: Haribon’s Biodiversity on Wheels program visits 700 students in Antipolo
Nearly 700 students were informed on the various wonders of Philippine biodiversity.
By Jhonie Marcos
March 2015
BOW’s visit to the all-girl school started with biodiversity learning sessions conducted by Haribon’s Training Specialists Ms. Czarina Constantino and Ms. Raiza Joy Elumba. The talk featured Philippine biodiversity highlighting species found in the country, environmental threats, and ways on how students can help protect the environment. These talks rekindled the love for Mother Nature for Grade 1, 3, 4 and 5 students of this eco-friendly school.
Nearly 700 students were informed on the various wonders of Philippine biodiversity. Bird species such as the Bleeding Heart Pigeon and Philippine Eagle, mammals including the Philippine Mouse Deer, reptiles like the Philippine crocodile, and sea creatures and other extraordinary endemic species in the Philippines made the hearts of the students melt. Many of them giggling and showing astonishment.
More so, they became aware of the grave threats to biodiversity such as pollution and habitat loss. Afte the talk, the speakers taught the students on how to conserve our environment and gave simple ways they can do this as the future of this generation. They included simple steps such as imbibing the 4 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink), planting native trees, and informing other people.
Students became more excited as they went back to their respective classrooms for the coloring activity given during the learning session. The coloring activity shows endearing illustrations of 9 Philippine species namely the Philippine Tarsier, the Philippine Eagle, Rafflesia, Humphead Wrasse commonly known as Mameng, the Apitong, the Visayan Wrinkled Hornbill, the Tamaraw, the Panay Monitor Lizard, and the Mushroom Coral.
Afterwards, students headed to the HARI Ecovan by batch for more fun-filled activities of BOW. It started with a short introduction of the activities offered by the van. Students then wrote their “promises to Mother Nature” on animal-shaped cut-outs and posted them on a leafless tree picture in support for the Haribon’s ROAD to 2020. The girls then headed to watch environmental videos and browsed through books, comics, flash cards and other learning materials featured in the HARI Ecovan.
The fun and fulfilling day was topped off with smiles from Assumption Antipolo’s students bringing with them knowledge and awareness as stewards of biodiversity and nature conservation.
Since 2012 the Haribon Foundation’s Biodiversity on Wheels (BOW) program has visited a total of 41 schools and 7 communities teaching biodiversity to more than 13,000 students. It aims to reach more areas in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
