The HEDCen HS graduating batch of 2013-2014 have begun their work for the Tungtong River Conservation Project.
At the Tree Conservatory: Work at the Conservatory during these rainy days is not so demanding since it mostly consists of pruning unwanted growth, removing parasitic vines and grasses, and straightening/bracing trees affected by excessive soil erosion. As we move into the dry season, however, the need for volunteers to water trees regularly becomes paramount. We pray that the seed planted in the hearts of these young Filipinos participating as students in TRCP will one day blossom into willing, passion-driven efforts of people who work for more than just numbers on a piece of paper- the efforts of genuine heroes of and for the environment.
The photos have been archived at the TRCP Facebook page (follow this link).
Cleaning-up: Perhaps there will always be a need to pick-up trash in this beloved river but one hopes to eventually deal with the problem at its root. But how do you go about convincing hundreds of people that this is more than just a canal- a ditch to put trash in? The TRCP is heading towards more and more community-based work in which we hope to convince the residents of the river (be they legal or informal) that they have the most to gain from a clean and vibrant river. In the meantime, there will always be a need for gung-ho environmentalists who wouldn’t mind picking up someone else’s trash. Are you willing to join us in removing used diapers, empty printer-ink cartridges, and discarded junk food wrappers from Mother Nature’s bedroom?
The photos have been archived at the TRCP Facebook page (follow this link).
Mist-net practice: The Bird and Bat teams are shown here practicing the setting up of a mist-net via “pulley” method. These “trap” for birds and bats helps us collect DNA samples from the animals before releasing them back into the wild. The importance of collecting DNA in sound conservation science cannot be understated. The work of these young environmentalists will no doubt contribute in a very real way to the preservation of our Earth’s species.
The Bird Team: Aira Dy Guaso (team leader); Tim Blas, Paula Capanas, Miggy Gemzon, Clinton Sorilla, John Sung
The Bat Team: Ria Garcia (team leader); Marc Eviota, Ige Domingo, Sarah Kim, Martin Suarez, Liam Torres
The photos have been archived at the TRCP Facebook page (follow this link).
Basin dredging: The back-breaking work of the Fish team in dredging the Froggle Rocks basin is essential in preparation for the re-introduction of native fish species. The fish community of Tungtong River has collapsed due to the degrading water quality and indiscriminate electro-fishing. The Fish Team took it upon themselves to help restore native fish stocks in an effort to bring back the river to how it was before the abuse of man disrupted its balance.
The Fish Team: Nicole Salvador (team leader); Raffy Aligaen, Ice Cedro, Edward De Leon, Tomas Eom, Nikko Nackaerts, Vincent Valera
The photos have been archived at the TRCP Facebook page (follow this link).
While their peers in “regular” schools concentrate on getting through paper-work and so march hassle-free on graduation day, these HEDCen students, by virtue of the vital integration of the Science program to the Tungtong River Conservation Project, have begun immersing themselves in honest-to-goodness environmentalism. What better way to walk-our-talk of being Better People for a Better Earth?
How about you? What have you done for Earth lately?
Tungtong River Conservation Project 