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FPE and USAID Share Forest Restoration Best Practices with DENR-PAWB

Recognizing the crucial role of knowledge sharing in biodiversity conservation efforts, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) turned over eight case studies on natural resources management and partnership building to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB).

The case studies showcase best practices and lessons learned from actual field experiences of partners in eight project sites of the USAID-FPE Up-Scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas located in the bioregions of Luzon, Cebu, Negros, Leyte, and Mindanao.

The turn-over ceremony was held during PAWB’s 26th anniversary celebration at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center on June 24, 2013. PAWB, headed by Director Theresa Mundita Lim, partners from Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, Inc., and Godofredo Villapando, FPE Executive Director, were present during the event.

Director Godofredo Villapando emphasized FPE’s need to continuously establish and maintain partnerships with key institutions such as the DENR in order to fulfill its mission of conserving biodiversity to sustain communities. With biodiversity conservation as the ultimate goal, resources, technical expertise and best practices need to be shared in order know what had been accomplished so far and what works best in different key biodiversity areas.

On the other hand, PAWB Director Theresa Mundita Lim acknowledged FPE’s contribution to biodiversity conservation. She explained that PAWB, being the youngest among the bureaus in DENR, also happens to have the lowest budget allocation. Partnerships, such as the one with FPE, therefore play a big role in the implementation of PAWB’s protected area programs and activities.

The case studies form part of FPE’s Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development (BCSD) KALIKASAN Series, a regular publication series of the foundation. Soft copies of the case studies are available for download at the FPE website, www.fpe.ph.