A two-week long training program on biodiversity conservation was facilitated by the USAID and the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) through the Center for Innovations Conservation Philippines (CCIPH) as part of the Investing in Sustainability and Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems (INSPIRE). The project aims to improve natural resource resilience and security through the increased participation and engagement of civil society organizations (CSO), media, academe, and local communities.
The Xavier Science Foundation, Inc. (XSF) is one of the grantees in the first cycle focusing on the Mt. Kalatungan Mountain range and working closely with Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPO) for the creation of innovative environmental solutions and sustainable livelihoods.
The first week of training was held from March 26 to April 2, 2023, at Park Inn Hotel, Iloilo City where the Sukat ng Kalikasan: High Conservation Value-Natural Capital Accounting and Citizen Science was introduced. Here the participants were able to understand the context of natural capital accounting of which the environment is an important asset to the society and the economy, ensuring a systematic way of measuring and reporting on stocks, and flows of natural capital. The HCV-NCA framework allows the communities to have concrete data and knowledge on the available resources found within their landscape referring mainly on the various (ecosystem) services as part of the biodiversity conservation initiatives.
The training also highlighted the Citizen Science approach and have introduced conservation applications that are essential tools in doing biodiversity monitoring.
Another complementary training was held on April 11-14, 2023, at Malagos Garden Hotel, Davao City. The participants were introduced to the basic concepts of Carbon Accounting with fieldwork. A practical activity at the ALI Davao Carbon Forest was performed where participants learned how to establish circular plots, measuring the height, canopy cover and carbon stock using tools and equipment.
The trainings were delivered to provide the grantees basic knowledge and skills including the use of online mobile applications about biodiversity conservation that are essential to the works they are currently doing under the INSPIRE project.
