PEF eyes 3 M trees near PH Eagle nesting sites in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) aims to plant and nurture at least three million native tree species and fruit trees near Philippine Eagle nesting sites in Mindanao in three years under its Regenerative Agroforestry for Indigenous Well-being and Nature or Project REGAIN.

Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF director for breeding and conservation, said the project hopes to regenerate 1,500 hectares of forests to bring back degraded ecosystems due to human activities.

The project, he added, is not just for the benefit of the critically endangered Philippine Eagles but also for other animal species as well.

He explained that the regenerative agroforestry intends to restore what had been lost due to human encroachments and sustainable land uses.

“The project has five key outcomes: Improving soil health, enhancing water retention and quality, conserving biodiversity (including expanding Philippine Eagle habitats), promoting ecosystem health and resilience, and sequestering carbon,” the PEF project briefer said.

It added that forest restoration is seen as a solution to address these issues and support sustainable development goals, combat biodiversity loss, and mitigate climate change impacts.

“The goal of the project is to restore key areas that are currently grasslands and brushlands in indigenous territories adjacent to Philippine eagle nesting sites using community-based afforestation and agroforestry. This initiative involves planting native trees and fruit trees in designated restoration areas.”

Many former forests, Ibañez added, have lost their quality of soil. Thus, the project, he said, intends to bring back quality of soil as well as restore lost biodiversity.

The native wildlings were collected by the partner indigenous communities and will be planted in the eagle nesting sites in reforestation sites in this city, Davao de Oro, North Cotabato, and Bukidnon.

Recently, PEF project partner Reduce, Reuse, Grow Inc. visited the newly inaugurated central nursery for the project at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, this city.

Reduce, Reuse, Grow Inc. is a reforestation company that helps enterprise-level clients counteract their operation's environmental impact by planting a plant with each high-volume transaction made.

Among the tree species to be planted are banaba, bagtikan, bangkal, maluggay, narra, ous, pili, red lauan, white lauan, ulayan, and ylang-ylang.

The project will incentivize the participation of at least 180 indigenous families and their communities, the PEF briefer said. “Additionally, agroforestry practices will contribute to food security, income generation, and cultural spaces for indigenous well-being."