PROJECT REPORT PHILIPPINES 2022 INDIGENOUS REFORESTATION IN EAGLE HABITAT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dear friend, Thanks to your support, a total of 200,000 trees were planted to restore 226 hectares of land in San Luis municipality, Aurora province. Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive. None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you! What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in the Philippines. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW
This reforestation project planted native trees within the Ancestral Domain of the Dumagat and Alta Indigenous communities in the municipality of San Luis in northeastern Philippines. The province is located in the central portion of the Sierra Madre Biodiversity Corridor (SMBC) and the Eastern Pacific seaboard. The selected areas for planting were identified by community members as degraded areas that require tree planting and/or enrichment. They are also located 400m from the shoreline, critical locations where trees can protect the area from waterrising or landslides. As the trees grow, they will connect the primary rainforest and increase habitat for 7 known vulnerable or endangered species in the forest (Golden-crowned Flying Fox, Rufous Hornbill, Philippine Hawk Eagle, Philippine Eagle Owl, Wild boar, Flame-breasted Fruit Dove, Gray’s Monitor Lizard, Philippine Long-tailed macaque). The project also generated local jobs and cultural community benefits from the restoration of their ancestral forest home, whose wildlife is sacred to indigenous communities and their identity.
TREES PLANTED 200,000
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 20
FAMILIES BENEFITED 150
HECTARES REFORESTED 226
WOMEN INVOLVED 70 JOBS SUPPORTED 70 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE INVOLVED 25
WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED 200 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM TRAINING 46
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 226 hectares of tropical rainforest were restored. These areas are connected to primary rainforest and are thus increasing the habitat of the 7 known vulnerable or endangered species in the forest (Golden-crowned Flying Fox, Rufous Hornbill Philippine Hawk Eagle, Philippine Eagle Owl, Wild boar, Flame-breasted Fruit Dove, Gray’s Monitor Lizard, Philippine Long-tailed macaque) and the one suspected (critically endangered Philippine eagle; anecdotally but not scientifically confirmed), as well as likely hundreds of bird species and dozens of mammals and reptile species. As part of the wild seed collection for the restoration project, the community mapped several 'mother' seed-bearing trees, which are indicators of forest health and integrity.
SPECIES PLANTED
THROUGH THIS PROJECT Parashorea malaanonan Shorea contorta Shorea negrosensis Pterocarpus indicus Shorea palosapis and others.
YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP The restoration area is located within the Ancestral Domain of the Dumagat and Alta Indigenous communities in the municipality of San Luis, province of Aurora in northeastern Philippines. The indigenous community has mapped out their ancestral domain to identify and document each land use and activity plan associated with the land use.
DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.
PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT
BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS Indigenous communities mapped out their ancestral domain to identify and document each land use. As a result, besides mapping areas such as traditional hunting grounds, sacred grounds and wildlife sanctuaries – the community found identified priority areas to be restored. This forest is not only home to the local communities but also the habitat of the critically endangered Philippine eagle, and several endangered and vulnerable species such as the Hornbill, Eagle owl, Hawkeagle and Flying fox. Bird calls from bird species like the Rufous hornbill, Amethyst brown dove and White-eared browned dove give the community warning signals. Rufous hornbill’s calls warn of predator threats and can be used as a way to track time. Many of the plant species planted are also under vulnerable and endangered status, and planting them revitalizes wildlife habitat and conserves native species.
COMMUNITY
BENEFITS
Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Dumagat and Alta is historically a huntergatherer tribe with a strong affinity for nature particularly in their Ancestral Domain where they live. As mentioned above, the forest has been providing the community with both timber products, medicinal plants and other forest products. Restoration will support the community to achieve, maintain and enhance sustainable livelihood as well as food security. Other benefits consist of the increased knowledge and capacity of the community related to the maintenance of the nursery and the planted trees, because this community will receive training and guidance before being actively involved in the nursery establishment. At least 50 community members will be involved in the project, receive training, as well as additional income from planting activities.
U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
WHAT ARE SDGS? Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution. From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.
"Planting trees here will protect, restore, and conserve the Philippines's forest and related resources. As the trees grow, they will improve soil and water conservation, store carbon, moderate local climate by providing shade, regulate extreme temperatures, increase wildlife habitat and improve the land's capacity to adapt to climate change.”
KM Reyes
Project Manager Asia Pacific