B+WISER shares key recommendations to support DENR's Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Program.

(Left) ERDB Acting Director Henry Adornado shares his appreciation for B+WISER's support to the Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Program. (Right) DENR Regional Directors, representatives from the civil society and academe, and B+WISER team participate in the one-day forum

DENR-USAID's B+WISER Program in collaboration with the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) organized a forum to share initial lessons learned and explore sustainability mechanisms for the agency's Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Program (MBFDP) on July 30, 2015 in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte province. Participated in by ERDB Acting Director Henry Adornado and 70 representatives from DENR regional offices, civil society, and the academe, the forum served as a venue to discuss techniques and operational strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the program.

Read more: B+WISER shares key recommendations to support DENR's Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Program.

USAID joins 1st State of Watershed Governance Reporting for Bicol region’s Quinali “A” Watershed

(Left photo) USAID/OEECC Senior Policy Adviser Oliver Agoncillo reiterates the U.S. Government's commitment to support efforts to conserve the Quinali “A” Watershed; seated with him are Polangui Mayor Cherilie M. Sampal (right), DENR-EMB Regional Director Roberto Sheen and DENR Asst. Regional Director Al Orolfo (left). (Right photo) DENR Region 5 Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation section Chief Yolanda Sa-ong reports on the state of forest and biodiversity of the watershed.

On July 22-23, 2015, DENR-USAID’s B+WISER co-organized the 1st State of Watershed Governance Reporting for Quinali “A” Watershed in Legazpi City, Albay. The 73,800-hectare watershed is one of the major sub-basins of the Bicol River Basin, providing significant ecosystem services such as water for irrigation of Albay’s rice granary.

Read more: USAID joins 1st State of Watershed Governance Reporting for Bicol region’s Quinali “A” Watershed

B+WISER enhances law enforcement skills of Kitanglad Guard Volunteers to achieve zero forest loss by 2017

(l-r) Kitanglad Protected Area Superintendent Forester Daniel F Somera talks about restoration efforts in Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park during the training; KGVs preparing their patrol sector maps; KGV Gavino Kilaan discusses enforcement activities to volunteers during the training. Photo by USAID/B+WISER

B+WISER and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) trained 54 deputized Kitanglad Guard Volunteers (KGVs) and Field Extension Officers of the 47,270-hectare Mt Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) on improved forest protection techniques on July 14-16, 2015 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

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Mt. Apo porters and women guides now LAWIN Patrollers

Mt. Apo porters and women guides use the tablet-based app in the LAWIN biodiversity and threats monitoring system during a monitoring activity in Magpet and Kidapawan City in Mt. Apo Natural Park.

Ten porters and women guides mostly from the Manobo indigenous group of Bongolanon in Magpet, North Cotabato with officers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a test run of the B+WISER-developed Landscape and Wildlife Indicators (LAWIN) biodiversity and threats monitoring system within a high conservation value area (HCVA) in Mt. Apo Natural Park on July 16-18, 2015.

Read more: Mt. Apo porters and women guides now LAWIN Patrollers