Advocating Wetlands Conservation
   
          Although the negative perception of wetlands by many people around the world have changed, and tremendous progress has been made towards a true recognition of their important functions and values, a lot more has to be done to make the public be aware of the importance of wetlands for people's well-being.

           The Philippine Sustainable Development Network Foundation, Inc. embarked with activities that promote public awareness of the importance of wetlands.  Among these are the participation of PSDN in the annual World Wetlands Day, and the development, hosting and maintenance of websites for organizations supportive to the conservation of Philippine wetlands. 

    
 
Launching of WETLANDS CARAVAN
          In celebration of the World Wetlands Day on 02 February 2006 , the Philippine Sustainable Development Network Foundation took part in the launching of  Wetlands Caravan: The Evolving CEPA Action Plan for the Wise Use of Philippine Wetlands at the Visitors' Center of the Nonoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.  The Wetlands Caravan aims to work with the communities in coming up with localized action plans in achieving the Ramsar Convention's goal of "wise use of wetlands".  It is envisioned to be the venue for exchanging information, building capacities and sharing best practices among different communities. 

          To kick off the Wetlands Caravan, four wetlands sites were identified that will pilot-test the preparation of local CEPA Action Plan using the approach introduced by the Wetlands Caravan.  These are Laguna de Bay, Taal Lake, Candaba Swamps, and Tawi-Tawi coastal area.

          The event was spearheaded by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW), in cooperation with the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and the Philippine Sustainable Development Network Foundation, Inc. 
<<  more on the event  >>

 
 
Development and Hosting of the 10th Living Lakes Conference Website
          The 10th Living Lakes Conference was held at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City on 15 - 19 May 2005, with the theme "The Lake and its People: Responsible Stewardship by Lake Communities".  Attended by delegates from the member lakes and lake management advocates in the host country, this international conference explored the role that communities play as responsible stewards of lake ecosystems in densely populated areas.  The conference was organized by the CLEAR (tripartite partnership of the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Laguna Lake Development Authority, and Unilever Philippines) and the Global Nature Fund.   
<< 
to the conference website >>
   

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Development of National Wetlands CEPA Action Plan
02 February 2005

   
          A national workshop was conducted on 02 February 2005  to craft the first draft of the National Wetlands CEPA (communication, education and public awareness) Action Plan.  Key stakeholders nationwide attended the workshop which was held at the Visitors' Center of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, Quezon City in 02 February 2005, in time with the celebration of the World Wetlands Day.  

          The need to have a national plan was recognized so that all CEPA activities will be done in a more strategic manner in order to be more effective in catalyzing change towards promoting  the conservation and wise use of wetlands on a nationwide scale.  The formulation and implementation of the plan as an intervention that would not only reduce conflicts over wetland resources, but also increase the number of advocates, actors and networks involved in the issues, and build an informed decision-making constituency.  Results of the workshop will then be subjected to online discussion and consultation.

          The activity was organized by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, in cooperation with the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, the Philippine Sustainable Development Network Foundation, CAUSE, Inc., Unilever Philippines and the United Nations Development Programme.  
<< more on the celebration >>

   
Development and Hosting of CLMN Website
  
           Actively participating in the Community Lake Monitoring Network, a cooperative program of the Conservation of Laguna de Bay's Environment and Resources (CLEAR), the Philippine Sustainable Development Foundation developed and maintained the network's website.  The website,  which is being hosted by the PSDN, features the results of the lake monitoring conducted by the lakeshore communities of Laguna de Bay.

          The Community Lake Monitoring Network website can be viewed at - www.psdn.org.ph/clmn .

  
World Wetlands Day 2003
02 February 2003
Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Nature Center
Diliman, Quezon City

  
          The theme of the celebration - "No Wetlands, No Water" aimed to communicate the importance of wetlands as a vital component of the freshwater cycle. 

          The celebration of World Wetlands Day was spearheaded by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands and the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, in cooperation with various organizations such as the Philippine Sustainable Development Network, among others. 

 

          Since it fell on a Sunday, the activities revolved around the family. The regular park visitors and the invited guests took part in the world wetland day activities which commenced with the holding of a holy mass/prayer at the park's grotto, right beside the park's lake.  It was followed by a mini-concert featuring local artists, such as Hibla, Music Harmony and First Light Chorale, who helped drum up support for wetlands conservation. 
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World Wetlands Day 2002
02 February 2002
Likha sa Gulod,
Krus na Ligas, Quezon City

  
Makiling Ensemble

          To celebrate the World Wetlands Day, a Literary and Musical Night that paid tribute to humanity and its long time relationship with wetland ecosystems was held at Likha sa Gulod.  The theme of the celebration is "Wetlands: Water, Life, and Culture", stressing the importance of wetlands as a storehouse of cultural heritage which takes many forms, from human-made physical structures and artefacts, palaeontological records in sediments and peat, and traditional water and land-use management practices, to places of religious and mythological significance and the intangible ‘sense of place’ felt by many for these wild and often mysterious sites and their wildlife.
<< more on the celebration >>
   
CLEAR Website Launching
31 August 2001
The Linden Suites, Ortigas Center
Pasig City

  
          During the "Symposium on Laguna de Bay: The 18th International Living Lakes Partner", the CLEAR (Conservation of Laguna de Bay's Environment and Resources) Website was launched.  Attended by prominent personalities of lakeshore towns of Laguna, the symposium became the venue for the Laguna de Bay management advocates and local officials to interact among themselves.

          The CLEAR Home Page, developed and hosted by PSDN, can be accessed at www.psdn.org.ph/clear.

CLEAR home page
  
World Wetlands Day 2001,
   and SCPW Website Launching

02 February 2001
Visitors' Center, Ninoy Aquino Nature Center
Quezon City

  
          Actively participating in the celebration of the World Wetlands Day 2001, the PSDN co-sponsored the Home Page launching of the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW), a non-government organization of wetland management advocates.  The event was graced by the presence of Honorable Victor O. Ramos, the former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the person who inspired the organization of a group of advocates into a Society.

          The SCPW Home Page, hosted the PSDN, can be viewed at www.psdn.org.ph/wetlands.
<< more on the celebration >>

 

 

  
  

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