Join us this Earth Day 2025 as we open opportunities for your company to contribute towards the protection and conservation of one of the most important watersheds for the residents of Metro Manila, the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve!
Companies big or small who make a pledge towards any of the Conservation Pathways today can join a one-day learning trip to the project sites.
Limited slots only!
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Background
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet. During this period, many individuals, organizations, and companies show their support by getting involved in various environmental activities, such as tree planting, coastal clean-ups, and joining educational campaigns, among others.
While participating in tree planting activities may be meaningful, it is important to note that Earth Day is one of the worst times to plant trees.
The core considerations for tree growing are these “four rights”:
- Right species;
- at the right time;
- in the right area; and
- for the right reasons.
The extreme heat and limited water supply during the summer season make it an inappropriate time for people to plant trees in forest areas. The best time is during the rainy season when there is plenty of water for the plants and the soil is just cool enough for their growth.
If tree growing is not encouraged during Earth Day, what other actions can you take?
Aside from tree planting, there are many ways to contribute to the protection and conservation of our environment and our forests. Forest Foundation Philippines implements a four-pronged approach to conservation. We grow forests, opportunities, partners, and advocates in the most critical forest landscapes of the country: the Sierra Madre range, Palawan, Samar and Leyte, and selected provinces in Mindanao.
For Earth Day 2025, we invite partners to choose Conservation Pathways that protect and restore Kaliwa River Forest Reserve.
Conservation Pathways: Kaliwa River Forest Reserve
The Empowered Community for the Forest project of Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute (ESI), made possible through the grant from Forest Foundation Philippines, aims to manage 137 hectares of existing forests and biological resources in the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve through reforestation activities, building capacities of stakeholders on forest protection, provision of sustainable livelihoods to forest communities, and increasing awareness of residents on the importance of the forest and the ecosystem services it provides.
While the Foundation has already provided significant support for the project, all emerging needs cannot be covered by the grant, making private sector support still crucial. Through effective partnerships with organizations like yours, we can accelerate collective impact.
Why Kaliwa River Forest Reserve?
The Kaliwa River Forest Reserve helps regulate the flow of water towards the highly urbanized National Capital Region. It is also essential for biodiversity conservation in the Southern Sierra Madre, as it hosts a number of threatened and endangered species, such as the Antipolo tree, Red Lauan, Yakal, Luzon Bleeding Heart, Rufous Hornbill, and the Northern Luzon Cloud Rat.
Apart from its rich biodiversity, the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve is home to the indigenous peoples (IP) of the Dumagat-Remontado of Sierra Madre. The IP communities play a critical role in the conservation and protection of the environment and natural resources within the area.
The project site covers portions of Barangays Sto. Niño and Mamuyao, two of Tanay’s upland barangays that are part of the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve.
What support can my company extend?
Companies can choose among the pathways of support listed below – all of which play a part towards the sustainable management of the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve.
| Pathway | Inclusions | Cost/Item |
| Pathway 1: Tree Growing Restore, conserve, and protect forests with us | Support for the planting* and nurturing of 100 seedlings for up to three (3) years *To be planted starting June 2025 | PhP 18,000 |
| Pathway 2: Sustainable Livelihoods Provide livelihoods that safeguard the forests around us | Support the agroforestry livelihoods of forest communities | In-kind or cash donation for the provision of planting materials, garden tools, pots, etc. |
| Pathway 3: Forest Protection Support the protectors of our forests | Support forest rangers on their patrolling and monitoring activities | In-kind or cash donation for insurance, gears, cellphone, solar lighting, power station and/or monetary resource as additional support for communications, food allowances and transportation of forest rangers |
To prevent duplication of items for Pathways 2 and 3, companies are encouraged to list down the equipment or materials they intend to donate in the registration form.
What will donors receive?
Upon the confirmed submission of (1) the registration form and (2) the pledged donation, companies who donated may expect to get:
- A Certificate of Appreciation;
- An transparency report on how the communities used the cash and in-kind donation will be sent via email in July 2025; and
- A monitoring report containing the status of the seedlings planted will be sent via email in September 2025 (for companies who chose to support Pathway 1)
Companies who have pledged towards any of the Conservation Pathways for KWFR can also join the Learning Trip on April 28, 2025 (Monday).
Learning Visit
Forest Foundation Philippines, through the support of our grantee, Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute, is organizing a one-day learning trip (est. 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., limited slots only) on April 28, 2025 (Monday) to the project site in Tanay, Rizal.
To join, companies must make a pledge towards any of the listed Conservation Pathways for Kaliwa River Forest Reserve.
Limited slots only!
What can participants expect during the Learning Trip?
During the trip, the companies will:
- Learn about Forest Foundation Philippines and our conservation initiatives
- Know what the Empowered Community for the Forest grant project is for, what the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve is, and the value of your contribution
- Meet the communities and see where your support will go
- Take part in the ceremonial awarding* of pledges to the community
The learning visit can accommodate a maximum of 30 participants. To allow more companies to participate, we are only allowing a maximum of three (3) participants per company.
*For companies who opted to donate tools and equipment but are unable to bring it during the trip, notify the Foundation’s partnerships team to receive assistance in sending them out to our community partners.
Registration & Fees
Interested companies may sign up by accomplishing the registration Google Form on or before April 11, 2025 (Friday). Limited slots only!
Payment instructions and other event details will be sent to the registered primary contact via email.
The Conservation Pathway pledges are to by determined by the company through the registration form, while the participation fees for the Learning Trip are an additional PhP 2,000 per head, inclusive of:
- Transportation service from Makati/QC to Rizal and vice versa
- Transportation within the project site
- Morning snacks and lunch prepared by the community
- Tote bags
Note: Fees will solely be used to cover van rental and meals, which will be prepared by the communities in the project site. Forest Foundation Philippines will not earn from any of the activity fees.
| Dates to Remember* | Activities |
| April 1, 2025 (Tuesday) | Announcement and release of registration forms |
| April 11, 2025 (Friday) | Registration deadline |
| April 15, 2025 (Tuesday) | Confirmation of participants via email |
| April 21, 2025 (Monday) | Online briefing for confirmed participants |
| April 28, 2025 (Monday) | Learning Trip |
*May be subject to change without prior notice.
For inquries, email partnerships@forestfoundation.ph.
