In the aftermath of Typhoon Carina, the morning of July 27, 2024, dawned with sunny skies and mild weather–a sign of hope from Sierra Madre herself as Haribon members and volunteers embarked on the first tree-planting activity of this planting season.
This activity was groundbreaking for many reasons; it was the first tree-planting activity of 2024, the first at the new Sitio Batong Suso planting site, and the debut of Haribon’s new community partner, KAT-MAGAT Tourism and Farmers Association, as full-fledged rainforestation partners.
This activity was groundbreaking for many reasons; it was the first tree-planting activity of 2024, the first at the new Sitio Batong Suso planting site, and the debut of Haribon’s new community partner, KAT-MAGAT Tourism and Farmers Association, as full-fledged rainforestation partners.
What makes Sitio Batong Suso special?
Sitio Batong Suso is within the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve Protected Area and is also part of the ancestral domain of the Dumagat Remontado.
It is home to a number of birds, such as the Scale-Feathered Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus cumingi) and the Red-Crested Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus superciliosus), as well as forest trees such as the Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis), Yakal (Shorea astylosa), Almaciga, and Kamagong. They share this habitat with endemic mammal species like the Greater Musky Fruit Bat (Ptenochirus jagori), Philippine Pygmy Fruit Bat (Haplonycteris fischeri), the Philippine Nectar Bat (Eonycteris Robusta), and the Northern Luzon Cloud Rat.
Sightings of the endangered Luzon Bleeding Heart and Rufous Hornbill have also been recorded here.
Of course, reforesting Sitio Batong Suso is not just for the protection of these animals and tree species, but for the protection of the local communities.
It is home to a number of birds, such as the Scale-Feathered Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus cumingi) and the Red-Crested Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus superciliosus), as well as forest trees such as the Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis), Yakal (Shorea astylosa), Almaciga, and Kamagong. They share this habitat with endemic mammal species like the Greater Musky Fruit Bat (Ptenochirus jagori), Philippine Pygmy Fruit Bat (Haplonycteris fischeri), the Philippine Nectar Bat (Eonycteris Robusta), and the Northern Luzon Cloud Rat.
Sightings of the endangered Luzon Bleeding Heart and Rufous Hornbill have also been recorded here.
Of course, reforesting Sitio Batong Suso is not just for the protection of these animals and tree species, but for the protection of the local communities.
Following the devastating Typhoon Carina, the province of Rizal was one of the more heavily affected. The Lanatin River was visible on the hike to the planting site; our guides described how it swelled during the storm, reaching some of the houses along the banks, and how the rains pelted their crops, leading to many dying and withering.
Year after year, we face worse flooding, landslides, and unprecedented rainfall levels. Extreme weather conditions are an urgent warning sign for all of us, highlighting the need for nature-based solutions to flood risk mitigation and management.
Year after year, we face worse flooding, landslides, and unprecedented rainfall levels. Extreme weather conditions are an urgent warning sign for all of us, highlighting the need for nature-based solutions to flood risk mitigation and management.
Healthy forests help control floods and landslides by absorbing water and softening the impact of heavy rainfall. Their root systems also hold the soil together and allow water to penetrate the ground, becoming groundwater and replenishing the water supply, instead of accumulating on the surface, trapped by concrete and clogged drains.
The volunteer experience
Even amidst the uncertainty of the days leading up to the activity, there was an air of lightness and hope as the HARIBON Members, volunteers, KAT-MAGAT members, and volunteers from DENR PENRO Rizal got to meet each other for the first time, and experienced planting seedlings for the future together.
And since this was KAT-MAGAT’s first time guiding a group of volunteers and facilitating a tree-planting activity, some of our more experienced Haribon Members lent a hand. Heaven, a regular volunteer during planting season, joined Jeffrey, a member of KAT-MAGAT, in demonstrating how to plant the seedlings correctly–all of the participants coming together and learning from each other.
And after working hard all morning and enduring the early call-times, the volunteers cooled down before beginning the hike back. With the lush landscape of the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve around them, we asked them to share their experience.
And since this was KAT-MAGAT’s first time guiding a group of volunteers and facilitating a tree-planting activity, some of our more experienced Haribon Members lent a hand. Heaven, a regular volunteer during planting season, joined Jeffrey, a member of KAT-MAGAT, in demonstrating how to plant the seedlings correctly–all of the participants coming together and learning from each other.
And after working hard all morning and enduring the early call-times, the volunteers cooled down before beginning the hike back. With the lush landscape of the Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve around them, we asked them to share their experience.
In the words of Ate Veron, a KAT-MAGAT member, this tree planting was meaningful because, “Hindi lang kami ang makikinabang, kundi ang mga susunod na henerasyon.” (We are not the only ones who benefit, but also future generations).
Bev, one of our long-term Member volunteers, has been planting trees since her university days. In her eyes, “If you’re reaping benefits from the environment, then you should give back to the environment as well. That’s the only way you can help the earth and nature survive and thrive. We’re reaping the benefits and this is just a little thing that we can do for the environment, and we should do this every year.”
Bev, one of our long-term Member volunteers, has been planting trees since her university days. In her eyes, “If you’re reaping benefits from the environment, then you should give back to the environment as well. That’s the only way you can help the earth and nature survive and thrive. We’re reaping the benefits and this is just a little thing that we can do for the environment, and we should do this every year.”
After all, our greatest gift to the world’s children is ensuring that they still have forests to enjoy, and the ecological resilience of their communities.
For other volunteers, like Kath, “The highlight of this activity was meeting the Dumagat people, who are at the forefront in taking care of the Sierra Madre.”
Indeed, along the rows of seedlings, playful banter and friendly voices could be heard.
For Ankit, a first-timer, it was humbling. In his words: “90% of the job is being done by the Peoples Organization (PO) partners. What we are doing is just removing the seedling bag and that’s still difficult. So it’s very important for us to respect nature and respect indigenous people, and promote more of these works.”
Marianne, another first-timer, echoed Ankit’s sentiments; “Majority of the groundwork was done by the community but the tree planting we did was symbolic… a partnership with the community and people in the environmental advocacy.”
For other volunteers, like Kath, “The highlight of this activity was meeting the Dumagat people, who are at the forefront in taking care of the Sierra Madre.”
Indeed, along the rows of seedlings, playful banter and friendly voices could be heard.
For Ankit, a first-timer, it was humbling. In his words: “90% of the job is being done by the Peoples Organization (PO) partners. What we are doing is just removing the seedling bag and that’s still difficult. So it’s very important for us to respect nature and respect indigenous people, and promote more of these works.”
Marianne, another first-timer, echoed Ankit’s sentiments; “Majority of the groundwork was done by the community but the tree planting we did was symbolic… a partnership with the community and people in the environmental advocacy.”
Haribon’s community partners have always been at the heart of our rainforestation efforts. They are some of the most vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and climate change; but as our years of experience prove, they also make the most powerful environmental advocates.
Haribon’s reforestation work is only possible through their hard work, and our volunteers were able to see and appreciate this fact firsthand.
Continuing her reflection on community and partnership, Marianne also shared how the experience inspired her, saying: “I think it’s a call to action. After this, with these people pulling in other people [to get involved], it will spread ripples and encourage us to continue these kinds of initiatives.”
Kath also shared a poignant and hopeful thought about individual action: “There’s still so much to be done but we should start somewhere, one seedling at a time.”
Because of course, the other vital aspect of our reforestation efforts is everyday people like you, reading this. This Tree Planting last July 27, 2024, was from seedlings donated by individuals and companies. Each seedling you adopt, no matter how few or how many, creates a greater impact. In the same way each tree strengthens the whole forest, every action you take to support Haribon and environmental conservation creates ripples.
Haribon’s reforestation work is only possible through their hard work, and our volunteers were able to see and appreciate this fact firsthand.
Continuing her reflection on community and partnership, Marianne also shared how the experience inspired her, saying: “I think it’s a call to action. After this, with these people pulling in other people [to get involved], it will spread ripples and encourage us to continue these kinds of initiatives.”
Kath also shared a poignant and hopeful thought about individual action: “There’s still so much to be done but we should start somewhere, one seedling at a time.”
Because of course, the other vital aspect of our reforestation efforts is everyday people like you, reading this. This Tree Planting last July 27, 2024, was from seedlings donated by individuals and companies. Each seedling you adopt, no matter how few or how many, creates a greater impact. In the same way each tree strengthens the whole forest, every action you take to support Haribon and environmental conservation creates ripples.
