BRP nursery and greenhouse project in Mansawan launched

Biodiversity conservation and income generation for the community - these are the twin goals of the research project on the conservation and utilization of endemic, rare, and economically important plants in the three barangays of Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental. An output of this project is the nursery and greenhouse constructed in Brgy. Mansawan, Don Victoriano, which was inaugurated on 15 October 2004. The launching was attended by provincial, municipal and barangay officials as well as members of the local communities and researchers of the BRP.

A study conducted earlier by a team of BRP researchers on the participatory inventory and assessment of the plant resources in Barangays Mansawan, Gandawan, and Lake Duminagat of Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental listed 2 endangered, 71 endemic, 11 rare, and 171 economically important species, which can be tapped as source of food, medicine, raw materials for handicraft making, and as ornamentals, among others. When these results were presented to the community, a possible livelihood project that would also serve as a strategy in conserving the remaining biodiversity in Mt. Malindang was identified. Some members of the community recommended putting up a nursery and greenhouse to propagate weedlings of economically important species collected from the forest. This current research project was BRP's response to the community's recommendations.

The construction and management of the nursery and greenhouse is a joint effort of the community and the researchers. Local researchers collect the seeds of fast-growing tree species and grow them in the nursery. A temporary nursery was initially constructed to house the wildlings while the permanent infrastructure was being built. Now that the construction of the permanent nursery and greenhouse is complete, the researchers deemed it necessary to present this output to the local government unit to be recognized as one of the ways to conserve the biodiversity of Mt. Malindang. Participating community members has also undergone training on silviculture, horticultural practices, and nursery operation and management to sustain these efforts once the BRP researchers turn over the full management of the nursery and greenhouse to the community when the programme ends.

To generate income, the local community will sell seedlings to all visitors of Mt. Malindang to be planted along the roads and trails leading to the forest. The income generated from this activity will be used for the maintenance and operations of the nursery and greenhouse.

During a brief ceremony, Mr. Dennis C. Leopoldo, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) who represented Misamis Occidental Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos, stressed the Target 1000 Program of the Governor, which includes the production and planting of 1000 seedlings per month, and reforestation of 1000 hectares of the buffer and the core zone of Mt. Malindang Natural Park, among others. Meanwhile, Mr. Al Guangco who represented Mayor Annabelle Hamoy of Don Victoriano, pointed out the "necessity of inculcating the importance of biodiversity conservation" among local communities.

The BRP, which aims to contribute to the conservation, management and sustainable use of biological resources, is currently implementing 13 research studies in the pilot research area, which touches on the protected natural park in the uplands, a marine protected area on the coast, and headwaters of Layawan River in the province of Misamis Occidental, southern Philippines. Results of these studies will serve as inputs for the development of strategies leading to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Mt. Malindang and its environs.

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