Save the Sacred Forest and Build Tribal Economy

As our responsibility to protect and restore our ancestral landscape, the Tribes and Natures Defenders together with the tribal communities are working together to maintain the safety of our last home, habitat of the wildlife. 

We also making difference of restoring the denuded sacred mountains to bring back the forest cover, create wildlfie sanctuary and food for the wildlife by planting fast growing native trees. Our mission is doable for maintaining the presence of the wildife and indigenous peoples and fighting deforestation and mining for nature and cultural survival.

We initially planted 5000 native trees while looking for another funding to plant more native trees for the next generation. We also protected 30000 hectares sacred forest. As stewards of nature, we are not fighting for our selves but we are fighting for the whole creation/universe to thrive.

Sometimes we had been forgotten but we are still continuing to make real change to fight deforestation and mining. We are not doing this for now, but for the future of he mankind and connection to the creator.

For now, we still need funding support, we would like to extend our thanks to the kind donors to continue supporting our initiatives, we are forever grateful. Your donation made a big difference to plant more trees and protect the ecosystem.

Thank you so much.

This Project is focused on the Clans and Communities of Rogongon Iligan City who are directly active in delivering this Project’ goals and objectives. These are the Higa-onon indigenous peoples who inhabit the mountain regions of the Rogongon. The urgent needs for these communities, and these amazing high lands within Northern Mindanao, the major island located in the southern region of the Philippines, is to: 

• Restore their natural lands, reverse years of neglect and abuse.
• Contribute to repairing recent local activities detrimental to our environment.
• Establish new areas of indigenous of native trees and coffee tree plantations,
• Grow and harvest coffee which provide sustainable income and livelihoods.
• Reposition pride, opportunity, and optimism within their communities.
• Uplift lives, incomes, and well-being – for all ages and community members
• Establish viable new enterprise and agroforestry projects and business.

Project Activities

The headline Project Focus, Activities.

• Restoring:          10 hectares of denuded sacred ancestral landscape using native trees
• Developing:       new green economy through Coffee regenerative Production
• Establishing:      Agroforestry project planning and best practice
• Organizing:        an inclusive coffee production project
• Inclusiveness:    all tribal farmers/landowners will be able to join the Project
• Creating;            a 10-hectare of native trees and coffee plantation project in Phase 1
• Extending:          the plantation to 10 hectares in Phase 2
• Maintaining:      the planted native trees and coffee tree and natural lands to the standards they should be
• Achieving:          success for the tribe, for their lands, for climate change

Key Project Deliverables & Outcomes  

As an overview of the deliverables and outcomes, 

1. Socially

a. Restoring and nurturing new family, tribal, community pride and respect.

b. Ownership of lives and lands now, and a positive legacy

c. Increased numbers of men and women-led tribal community projects

2. Economically

a. To achieve economic stability and control of their lives and lands.Sustainable livelihoods respecting local traditions & cultures.

b. New jobs and new opportunities – direct and in-direct

3.. Politically

a. The removal of an unacceptable level of food poverty.Empowering women and families to thrive not just survive.

b. Improved education, nutrition, health; reducing/removing child mortality

4. Environmentally

a. Agroforestry project/enterprise including 10Ha coffee production.Planting of 10,000 native trees and coffee trees then by Phase 2, planting 10,000 Coffee and native trees

b. Eliminating tree cutting/deforestation; new positive land management focus