PAST SUCCESSES

Philippine teak (Tectona philippinensis), The Philippines
Project Dates 2002 and 2006-7

Philippine teak Tectona philippinensis only occurs in limestone forests of Batangas province, Luzon Island and Iling Island, Mindoro, in the Philippines. It is one of three species in the genus Tectona, which includes the extremely valuable commercial teak Tectona grandis. Philippine teak is currently threatened by habitat destruction and over-exploitation for firewood and timber.

The Global Trees Campaign has worked on the conservation of this Endangered species on Luzon Island in 2002 and on Iling Island in 2006-7.

Outcomes

Luzon Island
Project dates: 2002

Field surveys or visits were conducted in four locations and public awareness increased. Information on the tree’s ecology was improved and propagation of the tree initiated.

Specific achievements include:

• Increased knowledge of the population of the tree on the island, resulting from surveys and site visits. These included a joint field survey at Hugom, San Juan, in Batangas province, conducted with Happy Earth, NES (a mountaineering group) and the representatives of the municipal government of Hugom. The exact location of the individual trees and populations was determined using a GPS.

• Increased awareness and involvement of local people, students and officials in the protection of Philippine Teak through lectures, slide shows and meetings. Local people agreed to undertake volunteer patrols to help protect the areas where the teak grows.

• Young Philippine teak plants growing in the community nursery, for use in re-planting areas where the species used to grow. Seeds were collected for germination trials.

Iling Island
Project Dates: 2006-2007

This project, conducted by the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation with funding from the Flagship Species Fund, aimed to establish a community-based teak forest rehabilitation programme in Iling Island and to improve protection of the species.

Specific achievements include:

• The establishment of a native tree species nursery, containing several thousand seedlings of Philippine teak and other native forest trees. Two technicians were trained in nursery management and propagation at the government Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau.

• Planting of 5,000 seedlings of native tree species, including Philippine teak, to start a biological corridor to connect the fragmented populations of teak trees. The planting was carried out by school children, local residents and other groups, who are caring for the trees as they grow.

• The protection of Philippine teak and other tree species by local governments, through barangay (local government) resolutions prohibiting cutting and human induced fire.

• The establishment of a local group called The Alliance for the Philippine Teak in Ilin and Ambulong Islands, Mindoro, consisting of teachers, farmers, fishermen, business people, landowners, barangay officials and housewives. The aim of the group is to encourage ongoing interaction with local communities and increased engagement in conservation.

• Increased awareness on the island of the need to conserve Philippine teak and other native trees, resulting from seminars, print and broadcast media, production of t-shirts and other events.

• Establishment of a community cooperative to sustain the project’s activities and the forest protection and restoration in the long-term.


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