be green for life!

Imagine this: Saving our forests from total denudation for just digging a few inches of soil? Or this: Preventing flashfloods and further global warming for just a short trek that can provide a thorough exercise? Or this: Preserving terrestrial ecosystems for just having fun with friends doing a worthwhile activity?

Seems impossible? Not really! A huge task like saving the environment really can be this easy and fun! Volunteers from different La Salle schools have proven this through the “Green for Life: Plant a Million Trees” Project. Launched in September 2006, the project aims to (1) provide a venue for more proactive responses to environmental issues via tree planting activities and reforestation programs that promotes the propagation and caring for indigenous species; (2) draw out mechanisms that will systematically involve the Lasallian Family in sustainable reforestation and greening efforts in close partnership and coordination with local communities; and (3) conscienticize the Lasallian Family and people belonging to the various partner communities on the importance of natural ecosystems such as forests through tree-planting and reforestation activities that promote a more practical “learning-by-doing” approach in environmental education. For five Saturdays, volunteers will target to plant 5,500 seedlings of endemic species before the end of 2007 in the 280-hectare restoration area in Mt. Palay Palay National Park in Maragondon, Cavite.

As if on cue, my professor cancelled classes on August 25, the schedule when DLSZ will be lead school for the treeplanting. Mymy and Arcy, officemates from IPA, were among the volunteers composed of day school and night school students, administrators, teachers, and other employees. I saw Wowee again, an old friend from Tugon Eco Camp in 2003. During the orientation, the volunteers were reminded to always proceed in pairs, do not leave trash in the mountain, sip water to avoid dehydration, among others. The trek was slightly slippery, but we were well equipped with rubber-soled shoes and even walking sticks from dried branches. At the site, holes in the soil have been dug already, we simply had to remove the seedlings from the plastic, put it in the hole and cover it with soil, detach the tag from the seedling, and tie the string to the bamboo pole beside it. (And throw the plastic in the trash bag!) I started to work on a seedling, digging the hole deeper, and really taking my time, uttering a mantra to my tree so that it will grow well. When I finished though, the other volunteers have covered the area until the side of the slope in a matter of minutes! I still carefully went down the steep slope, just so I can check whether the other trees were planted properly by the students. After all the seedlings have been planted, and after posing for a few posterity shots, the group trekked back down the mountain, just in time for lunch beside the clear-water stream.



My legs hurt all over the morning after, but I was fulfilled, knowing that I did my share for the environment. There are other ways; find one that will suit you best!