HOLIDAY ACTIONS b 8


December 5, 2010


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T’S 20 days before Christmas, and 27 days before we say goodbye to 2010. We can already smell, see, and feel the Christmas spirit and all are excited to welcome year 2011 with a bang.


Before we end the year, let’s ask ourselves, have we done our part in protecting nature and conserving biodiversity? In our own little ways, have we cooperated in its protection, and somehow, contributed in the destruction of our environment? Admit it or not, we consciously and unconsciously, do things that affect our nature and biodiversity. But it’s not yet late! If there’s such a thing as Christmas rush, we also have the biodiversity rush. And if you want to know how to participate in the rush, let us count the ways.


The conservation of biodiversity is essential for the maintenance of vital ecosystem services, and ultimately for human survival. Every individual must begin to take the real value of biodiversity into account in his or her choices, and decisions—otherwise, the diversity of life on Earth will continue to decline. Birdlife International, Haribon Founda-


tion’s International partner in conservation, made a statement that despite international commitments and an increase in conservation efforts worldwide; the rate of biodiversity loss has not slowed down. Recent assessments show a continued overall decline in populations of wild species and in the size,


connectivity and condition of habitats, with accelerating risk of extinctions and a steep fall in the benefits that we can rely on biodiversity to provide.


Former BirdLife Chief Executive Dr. Mike Rands, Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and lead author of the paper, “Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges Beyond 2010,” said: “If we are to make any kind of impact, it is critical that we begin to view


FOR BIODIVERSITY – A WISH LIST I


The objective of these organizations and associations is to conserve biodiversity by monitoring species, restoring hectares of forests that are starting to deplete, setting up and managing natural reserves, raising awareness activities on biodiversity, which participants can carry out in their everyday lives.


»GLOBAL WARNING


biodiversity as a global public good, which provides such benefits as clean air and fresh water, and that this view is integrated not just into policies but also into society and individuals’ day-to-day decisions.” Thus, we have come up with ways on how we can act for biodiversity in the simplest, and achievable ways, which would help in the protection of nature and conservation of biodiversity. Little do we know that we are already doing a good deed, or worse, acting the opposite of what is listed on our biodiversity wish list, as you will see below:


1. Support nature protection associa- tions like Haribon Foundation.


By becoming a member, you can support these associations and organiza- tions in their projects, and encourage others as well to be active members of the foundation. You can give a donation, buy their publications, and merchandise such as shirts, and pens, also their partner establishments where proceeds will go to the association and be a volunteer in their nature conservation projects.


2. Give gifts with biodiversity in mind Tired of looking for something unique to give to your family, friends and relatives? Why not give them things that speak of biodiversity, what is this all about, its benefits, how to safeguard our environ- ment and what will we get if we protect and conserve biodiversity. Or, you may adopt a seedling thru Haribon Foundation’s “Give a Gift Tree” worth P125. This package includes one seedling to be planted by our partner communities in identified restoration sites, an Animalaya certificate (stating that a gift tree is given on the recipient’s behalf, and Haribon merchandise item of your choice.


3. Support a Rainforestation project Haribon Foundation has the “Road to 2020 campaign,” which is an environmen- tal conservation movement to restore 1 million hectares of our rainforests using native tree species by year 2020. It aims to plant native tree species in order to recover and conserve biodiversity, optimize our supply of forest benefits and ecosystem services, reduce the risk of natural hazards and enhance options for sustainable livelihood. You can support by joining activities to help raise funds to help the nongovernment organizations in their reforestation projects in the most affected areas. The recently concluded “The Million Hectare Challenge” of Haribon Foundation, not just increased awareness, but also raised sufficient funds in their ROAD to 2020 campaign. 4. Be an eco—volunteer


Just as the saying goes every holiday season, “It’s better to give, than to receive.” This holiday season, it’s time to give back to mother earth what we owe her. Our nature has already given us so much, but we have abused the gifts we receive from her. Our forest has already given us shelter, food to eat, water to drink, and air to breath, yet we did not nurture these, and even harmed and maltreated it. It’s payback time friends! You and your friends who availed the “Give a Gift Tree” of Haribon Foundation may join the rest of the volunteers in their tree planting activities with


■ Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman (left) joins the fun run »HAPPENING @ HARIBON More than running, it’s about giving back


■ Haribon’s chief operating officer, Blas Tabaranza


ON November 21, families and groups supported the “ROAD to 2020” cam- paign or the conservation movement to restore one million hectares of Philippine Forests by year 2020 by running on Haribon Foundation’s “The Million Hectare Challenge.” (MHC2010)


Runners competed in three distance


categories: 3 kilometer, 5k and 10k. After crossing the finish line, partici-


»NEWS ON H


Haribon launches ‘Birds of the Philippines’ iPhone app


HARIBON Foundation has launched the “Birds of the Philippines” iPhone app, showcasing images of Philippine birds taken in the field by Haribon members, along with descriptions of the species. It also allows users to send their pictures taken to Haribon for subsequent updates. Most of the proceeds of the $1.99 go to Haribon’s bird habitat conservation work in the Philippines.


Never before seen birds in their habitats such as the Philippine Eagle, Colasisi, Mindanao Broadbill, Cattle Egret,


Brush Cuckoo, White- eared Brown Dove, and Common SandPiper, pictured by Haribon researchers and photogra- phers, is available in the Birds of the Philippines iPhone app.


Upcoming updates will feature bird sounds, more species and the ability to record bird sounds in the field.


The app can be pur- chased through the Apple iTunes Store.


Be proud, and help Haribon Foundation in its work. (Source: “Haribon Embraces iPhone,” BirdLife International”)


PHOTO BY BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL


SOME people fear whale sharks or butanding because of their massive size. Whale shark is the biggest fish in the world growing up to 60 feet long. There is nothing to fear for us human beings, we can swim along them and video them as they swim as much as we would love to, as they don’t have the appetite for us, they prefer eating planktons or microscopic organisms that float in the sea. (Marine Biology By Castro et al, 2003)


pants gathered at the activity area where climate change and “Itanim Mo” exhibits as well as the Haribon Membership Booth can be visited. Seen at the 3k racetracks were Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Unang Hirit’s Suzi Abrera and her three kids, and Justine of Survivor Philippines wearing their “The Million Hectare Challenge” shirts. Tom Alvarez and Marco Manalac


hosted the event program and Blas Tabaranza, Haribon’s chief operating officer, delivered a short speech on saving our natural forests. The Sex Bomb Dancers were also present to give a little entertainment. MHC2010 gave away prizes for special categories such as: oldest


participant (Benjamin Elgincolin), youngest participant, (Mita Ysabel Ponce), biggest family (MaxB Team del Castillo Family), and biggest contingent (National Green Corp. of the Philippines). Groups who also participated on the


event are the Philippine Coastguard, Philippine Army and the Firefly Brigade. Though not everyone was able to finish first, second or third during the race, the real spirit of the run is to give back to nature and save our remaining natural forests by planting native tree species. Rainforestation has still a long way to go but we can make it happen if we work together. Let’s continue to support ROAD to 2020.


»TREEVIA


the seedling adopted. You don’t have to be a forester, or be an expert in environmental planning, anyone can take part in this activity. You can actively help nature-protection associations by participating in research and conservation projects; go to places inaccessi- ble to ordinary tourists, and discover specie unknown to mankind and with that discovery, the specie may be named after you! 5. Encourage your companies to take action for biodiversity


Companies are now planning where to hold their big Christmas parties, and year- end celebrations. Instead of shelling out on gifts and raffle prizes, and booking a resort or expensive hotel room for the employees, why not bring the whole company to a worthwhile activity to compensate for its environmental impact (its carbon dioxide emissions, its site along a watercourse, etc) and even increase its commitment to biodiversity. The company may finance conserva- tion programs, set up a foundation dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity, or involving employees, and sending them to field so they’ll experience, and be one with the environment.


These are just five of the fifteen holiday actions for biodiversity. Watch out for the next batch, and complete our Biodiversity Wish List. Let us start now, and do our part in the protection of our nature, and the conser- vation of biodiversity.


Source: The paper “Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges Beyond 2010” by Rands MRW, Adams WM, Bennun L, Butchart SHM, Clements A, Coomes D, Entwistle A, Hodge I, Kapos V, Scharlemann JPW, Sutherland WJ & Vira B is published in the 10 September 2010 edition of Science. “From government policy to personal choices, we must recognize the value of biodiversity,” BirdLife International “52 Actions for Biodiversity.” The original version of this document was published in 2009 under the title “366 gestes pour la biodiversite” and “366 tips voor de biodiversiteit”. Copyright 2009 Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.


■ The winners of the 10-kilometer strike a pose


■ Ico Rodulfo leads the warm up exercise


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