Past Project
2015 - 2017
Palawan, Philippines
Completed
As part of our efforts in establishing the Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat, we initiated the Saving the Almaciga project. The Almaciga tree (Agathis philippinensis) is the primary producer of non-timber forest products in the forests of the CNCH and its high-value resin represents a big portion of the income of the Indigenous Batak tribe and other indigenous groups who have lived in this area since time immemorial. This ancient coniferous tree used to dominate the upland forests in Palawan but over- harvesting and illegal logging now threaten its existence.
We assisted the indigenous communities in the area with their goal to ensure the future of the Almaciga tree, and thus livelihood and existence of the local indigenous people, through research, reforestation, education and training, and enforcement.
Over 5000 Almaciga seedlings were propagated by Indigenous and local communities from the first-ever Almaciga conebased propagation nurseries in the Philippines. Several scientific documentations have been made, the local communities have created a management plan for the species, and an enforcement team is being setup.
