National Forest Restoration Research Training and Workshop

The Philippines, because of its high and unique biodiversity that is also unfortunately threatened by human-related pressures, is considered as one of the world's hottest hotspots. Conventional approaches to reforestation, which rely on the planting of a small number of exotic species, have done little to mitigate the threats to its dwindling natural forest areas, and less so to restore them. Through the advocacy of the Rain Forest Restoration Initiative and other like-minded organizations, the usage of native species for reforestation has been gaining greater traction over time. Increasing capacity in native species reforestation, however, is hampered by the fact the there is very limited knowledge about the propagation and silviculture of the vast majority of native species. Systematic research into native species, with a clear emphasis on selecting appropriate species for restoration is greatly needed. This training and workshop aim to lay the groundwork for science-based forest restoration research in different regions of the country.