UP MINDANAO will be the venue for the Mindanao webcast of the two-day "International Conference on Mainstreaming Native Species-based Forest Restoration" on July 15-16.
The conference will be held in Nismed, UP Diliman and will be webcast to the various UP Constituent Universities.
In UP Mindanao, the venue is at the Lorenzo Hall, Administration Building, UP Mindanao, Mintal, Davao City. The two-day conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. of July 15, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. of July 16.
The public is invited to attend free of charge. Reservations may be made thru (082) 293-0402.
This conference brings together scientists and practitioners who promote the use of native trees for forest restoration. This is an alternative to the dominant use of fast-growing and economically-viable exotic species in the Philippines that contribute nothing to watershed restoration and biodiversity maintenance, such as Gmelina, Falcata, Mahogany, and Mangium.
Day 1 will have keynote speaker Dr. Mark Ashton of Yale University, Dr. Fujiwara, Yokohama National University, Dr. Elliot,Chiang Mai University, Dr. Hall, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama), Dr. Hau, Hong Kong University and Filipino scientists Dr. Pacencia Milan of Visayas Sate University, Dr. Agustin Mercado, World Agroforestry Center, and Dr. Edwino Fernando, UP Los Banos.
Day 2 will have panel discussions on rainforest restoration and on how to work with the DENR, LGUs, Local Communities and the Private Sector with moderators Mr. Javier Mateo-Vega, Dr. Juliet Ceniza, Ms. Belinda de la Paz of Haribon Foundation, Atty. Jose Canivel, Mr. Marlito Bande, and Dr. Blas Tabaranza with Closing Remarks anticipated from Ms. Elizea Gozun of Earthday Network.
The Conference participants include rainforestation advocates, private sector actors involved in Corporate Social Responsibility, the Donor Community, NGOs, LGUs, Academe, DENR, and the media. (PR)