Our first CAD was held at the DENR
mega-nursery in San Pascual, Ubay. Over 100 young people from 4 youth
organisations attended the event which was held outdoors and set against a beautiful
backdrop of rolling hills lined by neat rows of saplings. The day began with an
introduction from the VSO volunteers and Lilibeth of the Carood Watershed Model
Forest Management Council.
After the importance of forest management to a
watershed was made clear it was time for a walk and a talk with a DENR forester
to see the nursery’s different plantations. Half an hour later the now sweaty
group returned, their attention rewarded by volunteers distributing snacks. The
morning progressed with an exciting firefighting talk and display given by the
Ubay fire service. Volunteers and the youth got stuck in as they took it in
turns to extinguish a burning pyre of dry leaves. Everyone was impressed by the
ferocity with which a forest fire can spread and the take home message was well
received.
Before lunch the main activity was kindly
prepared by the DENR staff. The youth were given an engaging demonstration of
tree planting and how a tree nursery works before getting their hands dirty
preparing seedlings in small cellophane bags. Everyone gathered excitedly
around a large mound of soil each tasked with preparing 10 seedlings. They say
many hands make light work and surely enough an hour later thousands of
seedlings were ready for planting.
Lunchtime beckoned and, in true Filipino
style, was followed by a talent contest. The different youth groups showcased
their finest including an all boy dance trio, a medley artist and hosts of
excellent singers. The Filipino volunteers were represented by Eden ‘voice of
an angel’ Monsanto but the UKVs had nothing to show for themselves. Rumour has
it they are forming a dance troupe but we will have to wait and see…
As the hilly vista of the mega nursery
became silhouetted by fast approaching thunderclouds it was time to wrap things
up. There was time for a large group photo before the heavens opened and the
youth clambered to get on the backs of trucks headed for home. All in all it
was a great day and as they left, many of the youth were already asking when we
were holding the next one!
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