A massive re-greening initiative in Negros Island has hit its mark this year, planting 10 million trees four years ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n
The movement, dubbed \u201c10 Million in 10 Years for a Greener Negros\u201d (10M in 10), achieved its goal in just six years with a seedling survival rate of 79 percent to 85 percent and 307,552 units of carbon dioxide emissions sequestered.<\/p>\n
The \u201c10M in 10\u201d was launched in 2015 by the geothermal power firm Energy Development Corp. (EDC) to restore the rich and lush forests of Negros Island.<\/p>\n
It started with only 90 partners, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, provincial and local governments, the academe, media, and civil society organizations.<\/p>\n
It now has 268 partners all over the island.<\/p>\n
The movement was conceived to not just plant trees but embark on sustainable reforestation programs involving stakeholders to promote environmental protection and conservation and sustainable multi-sectoral development.<\/p>\n
Despite the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the reforestation partners continued with their initiatives, planting as many trees as they could on land and water.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been a member of \u201810M in 10\u2019 since 2015 and so far, we have planted over 500,000 mangrove trees in the mudflats of Tanjay City, covering 50 hectares,\u201d Sidney Lee, project coordinator of \u201c10M in 10\u201d partner Allied Mangrove Planting Organizations, said during the sixth-year virtual celebration on Friday.<\/p>\n
Lee presented a video clip of his group\u2019s accomplishment, showing the vast expanse of mangrove areas that they covered over the past six years.<\/p>\n
Another partner is Rene Vendiola, owner of Liptong Woodland in Valencia, Negros Oriental, a sanctuary to hundreds of rare and endangered plants and trees endemic to the area, as part of his commitment to maintaining the region\u2019s biodiversity for future generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you count the population of Negros, we are more than a million. If each member of the family will plant five trees, then we will have five million trees. That\u2019s already several hectares combined and that\u2019s very helpful for the environment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
James Villaroman, EDC vice president and head of strategy and long-term planning, said they initially did not know how many partners would be needed to accomplish the \u201caudacious goal\u201d but they had faith in the Negrenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Negros Island enabled me to see their deep love for the environment and for this reason, I believed that our goal was achievable,\u201d Villaroman said in his keynote message.<\/p>\n
He challenged the \u201c10M in 10\u201d partners as they begin the next chapter of their green revolution.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where your true passion for the movement\u2019s mission will be put to the test as you all work hard to ensure that the over 10 million trees that you have planted in just six years will all grow and thrive. Or are you going to stop at 10 million trees? This is where the strong collaboration and environmental advocacy in action that Negrenses or Negrosanons are known for should stand out,\u201d he said. (PNA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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