CADIZ CITY—More than 80 Negrosanon volunteers joined in creating change through the Save Negros Forest Camp 3, held at “The Hobbit”, Sitio Campuestohan, Brgy. Cabatangan, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on March 26-27, 2022.
Over the last 50 years, the once lush mountain forests that sheltered and cared for endemic animals—providing important ecosystem services to its residents in the province of Negros Occidental, are now threatened. Many initiatives were undertaken to restore the forest loss, and one of them is the Save Negros Forest initiative.
Mr. Wenifredo Tolentino founded the said initiative in 2014. Mr. Tolentino likes to hike mountains and has a goal to protect mother nature. They started as a small group conducting hiking and tree planting activities, which then adapted into large-scale events.
Mr. Dexter Perales, spokesperson of the Save Negros Forest team, said that the people from Negros knew what was happening to their forests. Posts and promotional materials published via Facebook also helped in encouraging the Negrosanons to participate in this event. He also recounted his witness account of the effects of deforestation during the typhoon last January of this year, which caused massive floods and casualties.
Also present during the event is Mr. Paul Hopcraft, an environmental advocate who promotes permaculture. He discussed the importance of this initiative in saving our planet. He also taught the participants the proper way to plant trees.
“The future is being regenerative. If we keep things sustainable, it’s balanced. But now, the world is in such bad shape. We have to regenerate the planet. Not sustainable living, but regenerative living,” said Hopcraft during the orientation of Save Negros Forest.
Forests are vital for people, wildlife, and for combating climate change. Young people have more than the potential to be vocal supporters of healthy and thriving forests, they have the drive and the light within them to do so. Getting the youth involved in conservation could further help preserve our natural forests– together with the life it shelters.
“The youth are the future. We have to motivate the youth and bring them into nature because many of the youth are disconnected from nature,” Hopcraft added.
This 2-day event was made successful because of the Sponsors(NOMAD Outdoor Gear, Taong Bukid, The North Face PH, etc). The social media partners (Tatak Mountaineers, The Amateur Media Association of Philippine Scouts, The Philippine Group of Mountaineers, Philippine Mountain Explorers, etc). And also to the participants who gave their time and support for the Save Negros Forest 3.
