A THOUSAND FORESTS PROGRAM

Designed by Marlo D. Mendoza
Dean, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 
College of Forestry and Natural Resources

BACKGROUND

The value of forests in combating climate change is a well-known fact, with the ability of trees to act as carbon sinks and provide a multitude of other benefits that facilitate human adaptation to abrupt weather conditions. 

IPCC AR6 (2023) also reports that forests can contribute to achieving net carbon zero, mainly through reforestation and reduced deforestation. With this, the Philippine government has embarked on its most ambitious reforestation program, the National Greening Program (NGP), with the aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of land of the public domain from 2011 to 2016. 

Its follow-up initiative, the Enhanced National Greening Program, intends to rehabilitate all the remaining unproductive, denuded, and degraded forestlands estimated at 7.1 million hectares from 2016 to 2018. Much of the reforestation efforts in the Philippines, however, were mainly led and funded by the government, and the non-government sector was merely involved in about 7% of the total reforestation area in the last two decades (FMB Forestry Statistics 2022).

WHAT IS A THOUSAND FORESTS?

Against this backdrop, the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), I.Syoot Multimedia, and other partner agencies launches “A Thousand Forests” (ATF). 

ATF is a multi-sectoral environmental program primarily aimed at educating the youth and the public on the role of forests in climate change adaptation and mitigation. 

More importantly, it encourages the different sectors to take part in the complete cycle of greening activities for the benefit of society. 

Its goal is literally to establish “a thousand forests” planted and nurtured by different stakeholders.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

True to its acronym, the ATF program seeks to:

• Increase public awareness on forests and climate change through a full-length musical film with the same title, A Thousand Forests.

• Take action to address climate change by mobilizing schools, private businesses, communities, professionals, and other agencies and promoting environmental stewardship through tree planting and nurturing activities

• Foster the future by establishing a monitoring and evaluation system that would oversee the implementation of the whole greening program cycle until benefits from utilization or through voluntary carbon markets are realized.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

1. Awareness Raising. The ATF program seeks to change and raise awareness on climate change through the portrayal of various characters that the public and the youth can relate to in a full-length musical film. The film, A Thousand Forests, is a story about five Filipino teens who were chosen to participate in a Forest Camp. Their backstories provide a glimpse of how teenagers experience the side effects of climate change and how they develop a deep understanding of how trees can save the planet.

The film will be the advocacy component of the ATF program, aiming to instill in the next generation a value for environmental stewardship. Eight original compositions will be included on the film’s soundtrack, which hopes to inspire positive change and reaffirm the film’s message.

2. Taking Action. Component 2 of the ATF program aims to encourage private sector and civil society engagement in tree planting and nurturing activities, in partnership with communities with existing forest tenurial instruments. This will be done through different modalities, including but not limited to:

• Professionals or professional groups. A carbon-zero professional project will be launched through the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) where professionals, as part of their continuing professional development, will take part in environmental stewardship seminars and support tree planting activities.

• The school youth and college students. Through the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the youth will be encouraged to join greening activities through their science projects.

• The private/business sector. Through their corporate social responsibility, the private/business sector can engage in tree planting and nurturing activities, with potential for credited emission reductions through the voluntary carbon markets.

One of the tasks in Component 2 is making sure the greening projects follow the scientific approaches. This includes producing quality seedlings, selecting species appropriate for the identified sites, and training on proper silvicultural practices. The state universities and colleges (SUCS) under the Philippine Forestry Education Network (PFEN), Inc. will oversee the groundwork for the greening initiatives, specifically in supplying extension materials and enhancing the capacity of various stakeholders.

The DENR will ensure the appropriate tenurial instrument is in place in the areas designated for tree planting activities. They will also facilitate the partnership of the private sector/civil society stakeholders with the upland communities.

3. Fostering the Future. Component 3 ensures that the benefits of combating climate change are realized, especially through mechanisms such as voluntary carbon markets and enhanced livelihood. A monitoring and evaluation system will be set up by PFEN member SUCs to facilitate the collection of data and availability of baseline for carbon trading or resource use permit application. The information will be uploaded to a database that can be accessed by the public.  

4. Public Reporting. It is planned that greening initiatives done by all sectors shall be consolidated and reported annually by the DENR during the Earth Day celebration. The intention is to report to the public the achievements thus far concerning the targets, challenges encountered, and how to be more effective and efficient in achieving the greening efforts.

PRINCIPLES

The implementation of the ATF program will be guided by the following principles.

1. Science-based. Utilizing science, precise measurements, and clear outcomes, especially within the ridge-to-reef framework, is essential in planning and decision-making for forests, natural resources, and the environment. This ensures the selection of appropriate species, consideration of site characteristics in tree planting, and the measurement of metrics to guarantee the success of the “A Thousand Forests” initiative.

2. Social justice and inclusivity. Ensuring an equitable distribution of benefits and responsibilities is vital, as is fostering inclusivity to involve everyone in the initiative. This commitment emphasizes the fair sharing of advantages and obligations, striving for universal participation to create a more comprehensive and just impact.

3. Transparency. Transparency in both the formulation of plans and the allocation of funds, coupled with detailed reporting of performance outputs and outcomes, stands as a pivotal factor in the program’s success. This not only ensures effective program management but also serves as a means of clear communication to all stakeholders, fostering trust and accountability in the process.

4. Shared responsibility and accountability. Every sector in society holds a unique responsibility in mitigating emissions, with accountability resting on the shoulders of all stakeholders. The youth, professionals, academia, government, and private agencies each bear a distinct role in ensuring the successful management of the country’s forests and natural resources. Collaboration among these diverse entities is essential for achieving comprehensive and effective environmental stewardship.

5. Participatory. Elevating the engagement of well-informed stakeholders is pivotal, leading to the generation of tangible and impactful contributions in the conservation and management of forests, natural resources, and the environment. This active participation ensures a more substantive and meaningful impact, fostering a collective commitment to sustainable practices and environmental well-being.

6. Intergenerational. The impacts and benefits of sound forest and environmental management extend across multiple generations, necessitating contributions from diverse age groups. Achieving sustainable practices relies on the collective efforts of different generations, ensuring a lasting positive influence on ecosystems and the environment for years to come.

7. Sustainability. Safeguarding the well-being of forests and the environment is imperative for the promotion of sustainability, guaranteeing ecological stability and productivity. This commitment ensures the continuous provision of environmental goods and services, contributing to human welfare. By prioritizing the care of our natural resources, we fortify the foundation for ongoing and balanced environmental benefits.

THE GOAL

By 2050, the ATF program hopes to have planted at least two million hectares of forests, jointly established by all sectors and sequestering some 50 million MT of carbon in addition to other enhanced ecosystem services.