A 10 year-old forest of native trees in Metro Manila (before and after)
Metro Manila is not a place renowned for green spaces. It scored “below average” in the Siemen’s Green City Index in 2012. Which is why any existing area of trees and nature in Manila should be that much more valued and protected.
10 years ago I was introduced to a small but unique green space in UP Diliman. While on a bird watching tour with members of the Haribon Foundation, we joined a tree walk led by Ronald Achacoso of the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society.
The tree walk covered a newly-planted forest between the UP Film Center and the UP Theatre on Magsaysay Avenue, highlighting trees native to the Philippines. Highlighting trees native to an area or country is important to preserve the original habitats and ecosystems of that area, which keeps forest watersheds resilient, among other long-term benefits. I share a few more benefits later in this post.
In 2013 many of the trees were still small, and the sign commemorating the tree planting site was brand new. On the sign was the name “Washington Sycip Garden of Native Trees.” Sycip was a prominent Filipino-Chinese accountant and businessman who was also an advocate for public education. Planting had began early in 2012, and the site was inaugurated July 5, 2013.
Back then I was the new graphic artist for the Haribon Foundation at the time, so I took photos of the trees in the Sycip garden as a resource for future art and materials. The photos there, as well as visits to the gardens of the UP Marine Science Institute and the UP Institute of Biology, later helped me make designs for stickers, tree maps, photo booths, and t-shirts in the subsequent years to come.
10 years later I revisited this “forest” of native trees at UP Diliman. I was amazed at how big the trees became, and took another set of photos. I then compared them side-by-side with their “baby pictures”. I was able to document 21 of the 90 total trees in the garden. You can find their photos and additional “tree-via” below.
21 of the 90 native trees of the Sycip Garden of Native Trees
Anahaw (Saribus rotundifolius). Anahaw is often regarded as the national leaf of the Philippines, though no laws or declarations have made this official. According to Forest Foundation Philippines its fruits are edible and tasty, and the buds can be consumed as vegetables.
Distribution: Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi. LUZON: Albay, Benguet, Cagayan, Camarines, La Union, Laguna, NCR, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Sorsogon, Zambales, MINDANAO: Davao, Davao del Sur, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, POLILLO, SAMAR. Notes: Low and medium elevation forests. Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. Conservation status: Other Threatened Species (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Antipolo (Artocarpus blancoi). The city of Antipolo in Rizal province was named after this tree. It’s leaves are similar to its cousin Camansi (Artocarpus altilis), but it has an even more well-known cousin, Langka (Artocarpus heterophyllus).
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. BATAN, CEBU, LUZON: Bataan, Ilocos Norte, Rizal, MINDANAO, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN. Notes: Thickets and forests at low and medium elevation. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Amuyong (Goniothalamus amuyon). According to the Philippine Journal of Science published in 1915, Amuyong is known as Sagiat in Illocos Sur and Pangasinan. In Batangas and Bohol it is called Amuyong or Amuyon.
Distribution: Philippines, Taiwan. BOHOL, CEBU, LUZON: Abra, Batangas, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO, MINDORO, NEGROS, SAMAR. Notes: Forests at low and medium elevations. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Baguilumbang (Reutealis trisperma). Baguilumbang is known as the Kemiri Sunan tree in Indonesia, where scientists are exploring ways to utilize the tree for biodiesel. Also known as Philippine tung, possibly because a Chinese tree species also called tung is known for its nut oil.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. CEBU, LUZON: Batangas, Camarines, Cavite, La Union, Laguna, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao, MINDORO, NEGROS. Notes: Low and medium elevation forests, widely scattered, sometimes planted. Naturalized in Java (Stuppy et al. 1999) and also grown elsewhere. Conservation status: Vulnerable (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Bolon (Platymitra arborea). According to the Guide to the MSI GIFT, Bolon is regarded as a nice ornamental tree because of its foliage.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. CEBU, LEYTE, LUZON: Camarines, Camarines Sur, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, MASBATE, MINDANAO, MINDORO, PALAWAN, TICAO. Notes: Low and medium elevation forests. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Hagis (Syzygium tripinnatum). Hagis was listed by Dr. Roberto E. Coronel as an “unutilized indigenous fruit with economic potential.” It is related to malabaltik below, as well as another species in the Syzygium genus, Duhat (Syzygium cumini). Duhat is known for its delicious fruit shaken or mixed with some salt.
Distribution: Philippines, Taiwan. LUZON: Albay, Apayao, Aurora (photos), Bataan, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Lanao, MINDORO, NEGROS, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: In Luzon from Cagayan to Sorsogon. Primary forests at low and medium elevation. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Kamagong (Diospyros blancoi). Kamagong is known for its strength, as well as its fruit. Its wood has been used for a variety of purposes including boats, electric poles, bridge construction and more. Its fruit is known as mabolo fruit, or velvet apple. Despite its skin full of small hairs, and odd smell at times, mabolo is quite delicious. It is related to another tree in the Diospyros genus, persimmon.
Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. BATAN, CAMOTES, CATANDUANES, GUIMARAS, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines, Camarines Sur, Laguna, NCR, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Zambales, MALAPACKUN, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao Oriental, Surigao, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: In most or all islands and provinces; introduced in other tropical countries. Primary and secondary forests at low and medium elevation, including limestone. Also commonly planted in and about towns for its large and edible fruits, called kamagong or mabolo. Conservation status: Vulnerable (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Katmon (Dillenia philippinensis). Katmon fruit are known for their sour flavor, but can still be enjoyed raw or even in soups like sinigang.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. ALABAT, BASILAN, CAMIGUIN DE BABUYANES, CEBU, GUIMARAS, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, La Union, Laguna, NCR, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao, Davao del Sur, Lanao, Lanao del Sur, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY, PARASAN, POLILLO, SAMAR, TABLAS, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: Widespread but absent from Palawan. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Lagundi (Vitex negundo). Lagundi has long been used by albularyos or traditional healers for cough, colds, and other ailments. When lagundi’s effectiveness was reviewed and validated by scientists, it was then used to supplement treatment for COVID-19 according to UNDP Philippines.
Distribution: China, India, Java, Philippines. DANJUGAN, LEYTE, LUBANG, LUZON: Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, La Union, Laguna, NCR, Pangasinan, Rizal, Tarlac, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, POLILLO, SIBUYAN, SIQUIJOR, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. Low to medium elevation, along roadsides, dry river flood plains, waste places, thickets and secondary forests. Fl. & fr. throughout the year. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Malabaltik (Syzygium affine). Malabaltik is related to another species in the Syzygium genus, Duhat (Syzygium cumini). Duhat is known for its delicious fruit shaken or mixed with some salt. Though I could not find any information on Malabaltik and whether its fruit can also be enjoyed this way.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon. Sources: Philippineplants.org
Mali-Mali (Leea manillensis). Mali-mali is known for its beautiful small reddish to orange flowers. It is a source of food for many insect pollinators, especially ants, with which mali-mali has a mutualistic relationship with. Ants have been observed harmlessly feeding on mali-mali nectar, while also attacking intruding insects that might damage the plant itself.
Distribution: Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Taiwan. LUZON: Benguet, Bulacan, La Union, Laguna, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, PALAWAN. Notes: Common and widespread throughout the archipelago. Secondary regrowth vegetation, but also found in primary forest. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus). According to the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation mangkono is the hardest Philippine hardwood. They add that it normally takes 3 hours to cut a 70 cm thick tree, but a mangkono of the same thickness can take two to four days! Saws with diamond points have been used, but a lot of water is needed to prevent overheating.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. BUCAS GRANDE, BUSUANGA, DINAGAT, HOMONHON, LEYTE, LUZON: NCR, MINDANAO: Agusan, Surigao, Surigao del Sur, PALAWAN, PANAY, ROMBLON, SIARGAO, SIBUYAN, TINAGO. Notes: Lowland and medium elevation forests and regrowths on ultramafics. Conservation status: Endangered (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Manila Palm (Adonidia merrillii). According to Philippine Palms and Palm Products published in the early 1900s, Manila palm was already a popular ornamental palm in Manila by this time. It’s habitat in the wild was found to be on limestone mountains like those found in Coron and the rest of Northern Palawan. Because of their beautiful leaves, vibrant red fruit, and low maintenance, they have long been popular in the US where they are also called Christmas palms due to the combined red and green colors of their fruit and leaves respectively during the winter months in places like Florida.
Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. APULIT, CALAMIANES, CORON, LAGEN, LUZON: NCR, MALAPACKUN, PALAWAN. Notes: Karst limestone formations, sandy coastal areas, often subgregarious in Coron and N Palawan. Common in cultivation worldwide as an ornamental. The genus is now reportedly known from Borneo (Sabah), fide E.S. Fernando, citing L.G. Saw, 2005, pers. com. Conservation status: Vulnerable (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Sakat (Terminalia nitens). In the book Enumeration of Philippine Flowering Plants published in 1923, there are 21 local names listed for this species. Sakat is the Kapampangan and Tagalog name. The other names include anagep, arinbukal, kalautit, pongud (Ilokano), bisal (Pangasinanse), dalinsi, daminsil, malagabi, pansaket (Tagalog), kalaupi (Ibanag), kananaupong (Manobo), magatalishai (Bisaya), magtalisai (Bikolano), mantalisi (Sulu), mangatalisai (Magindanao), and samuloko (Bagobo).
Distribution: Philippines, Ryukyu Isls. ALABAT, APULIT, BALABAC, LUZON: Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Laguna, NCR, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, PALAWAN, SAMAR, SIBUYAN. Notes: Throughout the Philippines; primary forests at low and medium elevation. Source: Philippineplants.org.
Siar (Peltophorum pterocarpum). Siar produce a vibrant yellow bloom of flowers, similar to narra when viewed from afar, but seemingly larger. Researchers in Malaysia have explored siar’s leaf and bark for antioxidants, as well as extracts that can be used in preventing or curing type 2 diabetes.
Distribution: Australia, Cambodia, Malesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. APULIT, BALABAC, CORON, LUZON: Batangas, NCR, Pangasinan, Rizal, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, PANGULASIAN, SIBUYAN. Notes: Usually along coastal forests and behind mangroves. Now extensively cultivated elsewhere in parks and roadsides as an ornamental shade tree. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Tuai (Bischofia javanica). Leaves of the tuai tree have long been used to treat ailments like tonsillitis, sores, and throat pain throughout Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and China. This is supported by studies today, like this one focused on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Distribution: Australia, Bangladesh, Borneo, China, India, Japan, Java, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Solomon Isls, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. BATAN, CAMIGUIN, CATANDUANES, ITBAYAT, LUZON: Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Ifugao, Isabela, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, SEMIRARA, TABLAS. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. Pioneer species up to 1500(-2350)m. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
White lauan (Shorea contorta). White lauan is a Dipterocarp, and is in the same genus as the almon tree mentioned below. Dipterocarps are important large trees in many of the Philippines’ oldest forests. Possibly because of their size and prominence in these forests, Philippine Eagles use large trees like white lauan for nesting.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. BABUYAN ISLS, BASILAN, CALAYAN, LEYTE, LUZON: Abra, Albay, Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Camarines, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Tarlac, MARINDUQUE, MASBATE, MINDANAO: Agusan, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Lanao, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, MINDORO, NEGROS, POLILLO, SAMAR, SIBUYAN, SULU ARCHIPELAGO. Notes: Common in primary lowland forests from semi-seasonal to everwet areas, in the former often semi-gregarious. Conservation status: Vulnerable (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Trees with additional notes
Akleng parang (Albizia procera). Unfortunately I didn’t take a great photo of akleng parang back in 2013. At the time the tree was so thin it needed a stick of bamboo to keep it from falling!
This tree is of the Albizia genus, which is related to a non-native but more popularly known Acacia genus. Leaves of akleng parang are also used as vegetables in cooking, according to the Guide to the MSI GIFT.
Distribution: Australia, China, India, Indochina, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Moluccas, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Thailand. BATAN, BUSUANGA, LUZON: Abra, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Laguna, Mountain Province, NCR, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Zambales, MASBATE, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY. Notes: In Luzon from Cagayan to Batangas. Second-growth forests, thickets, parang vegetation at low and medium elevation in regions subject to a long dry season. Fl. & fr. throughout the year. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
Almon (Shorea almon). When I revisited the garden in 2023, I could no longer find the almon tree. It is possible that it either did not survive the 10 years, or was moved elsewhere. Will update here if I find more information.
Almon is a Dipterocarp species, and like most of them, make up some of the largest trees in our forests.
Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. BASILAN, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Bataan, Camarines, Laguna, Quezon, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Lanao, Misamis, Surigao, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga, NEGROS, SAMAR. Notes: Primary forest on undulating hills at low elevation, on clay soil. According to Ashton (1982), particularly variable in Mindanao where the leaves are much smaller. Conservation status: Vulnerable (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus). It seems that this apitong has had a difficult time growing. When I shared a photo of this tree in 2019 with the Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts group, Eric P. And Ranulfo A. commented it might have been due to it being overexposed to the sun. The resin from Apitong is locally known as balau, which has been used for varnishing and caulking boats. Possibly to prevent leaks.
Distribution: Andaman Isls, Bangladesh, Borneo, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam. BILIRAN, LUZON: Abra, Apayao, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines, Camarines Norte, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan, Agusan del Sur, Misamis, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, SAMAR, SIBUYAN. Notes: Often common and dominant in semi-evergreen lowland and medium elevation dipterocarp forests, on small islands and on coastal hills in less seasonal parts. Conservation status: Vulnerable (DAO 2017-11). Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org
Toog (Petersianthus quadrialatus). For some reason this toog tree did not grow so well the past 10 years. It might have been damaged at some point, or just had a difficult time growing properly. However, there is one other toog tree across from it that is large and vibrant.
Toog is known for its large size. One tree was recorded in the Philippine Journal of Science in 1909 as being 6 feet thick, 2 meters high from the ground. In fact, there is a toog 54 meters tall, and estimated to be around 300 years old. It can still be found in Alegria, Agusan del Sur.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. DINAGAT, LUZON: Laguna, Sorsogon, MASBATE, MINDANAO: Agusan, Surigao, SAMAR. Distribution and notes from Philippineplants.org.
UPDATE: A list of the initial 101 (99 trees and 2 palms) were compiled in a guide to the native tree garden in 2013. You can see the book here.
UP Diliman: home to students, and seeds, for the future
The Sycip garden is not the only haven of Philippine native trees in UP Diliman. There are 2 other areas dedicated to native tree species, located in the science complex of the university. One is on the grounds of the UP Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), and the other is at the UP Institute of Biology (UPIB).
Marine Science Institute’s Garden of Indigenous and Flowering Trees (MSI GIFT)
Like many universities in the Philippines, when the UP Marine Science Institute buildings were beginning construction, most of the landscaping was made with exotic trees. In the book “Guide to the Marine Science Institute’s Garden of Indigenous and Flowering Trees”, the late National Scientist Edgardo D. Gomez, PhD shared some history on the institute.
“The initial planting of trees was dominated by the then popular, tall India lanutan, Polyalthia longifolia, after a few common acacias, Samanea saman. Thus, non-indigenous species made up a significant number of the first trees planted,” shared Dr. Gomez.
This was during the late 1980s. Since then Dr. Gomez, along with other conservationists like those from the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society (PNPCSI), planted more and more native trees through the years.
Today there are now 148 native tree species at UP MSI. In the Sycip list above I mentioned the importance of dipterocarp trees. At UP MSI, there are 25 dipterocarp species! And they represent half of the total number of indigenous species of the dipterocarp family, representing all the local genera.
Luckily I have the book dedicated to the Marine Science Institute’s (MSI) garden of native trees. It is one of my sources for the Sycip garden “tree-via” above, and covers every single native tree species on the grounds of the UP MSI building. You can purchase a copy of the book from Cel Tungol of Green Corner Books here.
UPIB-EDC BINHI Threatened Species Arboretum
This arboretum is located behind the UP Institute of Biology, and was established in partnership with the geothermal company, Energy Development Corporation. Started in December 2014, the arboretum holds around 70 species of threatened trees.
I was also lucky to get tree walk tours of the UPIB-EDC arboretum by David Ples, a botanist and Chevening scholar who is also a member of PNPCSI. As well as from Joseph Senga, a fellow conservationist who has worked with WWF, the Haribon Foundation, and other NGOs in the country.
On one end of the arboretum is an important memorial to Leonard Co, who died during a military crossfire in the forests of Leyte on November 15, 2010. Co was also important in the development of the UP MSI garden mentioned earlier, and was a renowned Filipino botanist who founded PNPCSI.
Why are “native” or “indigenous” trees important?
The Philippines is now down to about 24% forest cover, which is down from an initial 75% during the 1900s. Unfortunately any attempts to replant or bring back its forests usually involved trees that never even existed here. Planting these “exotic” trees created forests with little to no biodiversity, as noticed in the “man-made” forests of Bohol.
Unlike native trees, exotic trees give little to no contribution to local ecosystems since they did not evolve there. Oftentimes they can be harmful to an ecosystem, as is the case with exotic mahogany trees planted in the Philippines.
This plus the depletion of Indigenous knowledge on the medicinal and cultural value of native plant species, has contributed to both the loss of our forests and our understanding of their importance. Forest loss is problematic, especially when they’re needed to bring us water as they do in forested watersheds, or to absorb carbon in this age of climate change.
Visit UP Diliman’s forests of native trees
The “urban forests” of the university mentioned here all together hold at least 300 trees of various species. Each one planted intentionally over the course of years to help educate Filipinos on the wealth and health of Philippine forests. Once you get to know them, you’ll be able to identify some of them on and off campus, and realize many of them are “hidden in plain sight!”
Botanist David Ples introduced us to the term, “plant blindness” during our last tree walk, which refers to how unfamiliar people are to everyday trees around our homes and neighborhoods. Maybe one day you can visit some of these “urban forests” and get to know our native trees!
Simply go to UP Diliman and find these locations below.
Google map links to UP Diliman native tree “urban forest” sites:
- Washington Sycip Garden of Native Trees in Google maps
- Marine Science Institute’s Garden of Indigenous and Flowering Trees in Google maps
- UPIB-EDC BINHI Threatened Species Arboretum in Google maps
Organizations & websites to follow for native “tree-via”
- Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society (PNPCSI)
PNPCSI is a membership organization founded by renowned the late Filipino botanist Leonard Co. They post trivia and updates on Philippine native trees and plants, and host events both online and offline. Follow them on Facebook here. - Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts (PNTE)
PNTE was founded by Cel Tungol, a long-time advocate for the conservation of native trees. As of this writing PNTE celebrates 10 years of connecting enthusiasts of all ages, and continues to bring people together to discuss, share seeds, and host events about native plants and trees. Follow their Facebook page here, or join the group here. - UP Wild
UP Wild is a social media project highlighting the plants and wildlife of the UP Diliman campus. Their counterpart in nearby campus Ateneo is The Ateneo Wild. Follow their Facebook pages to learn more about local plants and wildlife on these campuses. Facebook page of UP Wild. Facebook page of The Ateneo Wild. - Philippineplants.org
Philippineplants.org is a digital library that was started on a large foundation of data collected and compiled by the late Filipino botanist Leonard Co. It is now managed by Pieter Pelser, Julie Barcelona, and Dan Nickrent. The site has “over 82,000 photos, representing c. 49% of the approximately 10,000 plant species in the country.” Visit the website and browse the data and images of Philippine native plants and trees here. - Haribon Foundation
Haribon is the oldest biodiversity membership organization in the Philippines, and works with local communities to protect existing forests, and plant new ones. Their focus is simple: communities are the best stewards for their natural resources. Current projects include working with farmers to plant and manage forest sites, and bringing more women leaders to forest management. Learn more about them on their website here, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.