This floating “hotel” is set up for the DENR, but can also be used by fishermen.
To relax, we have a sumptuous lunch while we wait for a new boat and the tide.
The tree nursery in Lucod is our largest facility in Baganga. We currently grow 160,000 different mangroves here and 80,000 in the other nurseries.
The women’s organization Rual Women’s Association in Lucod was able to have this community house built using the income from the mangrove activities.
We often receive questions about the survival rates of the planted mangroves, which we would like to explain to better understand the Mama Earth reforestation program. It should be noted in advance that the species of mangroves and the reforestation areas are determined according to the specifications of the Davao Oriental State University in Mati and the Regional Integrated Coastal Resources Management Center (RIC-XI) under the direction of Professor Lea AngSinco-Jimenez, Ph.D.. This means that only species whose seeds can be collected in the immediate vicinity are planted to ensure that no foreign species interfere.
It should also be noted that all planting is carried out by fishing families and women’s organizations, i.e., by people who live locally and understand the mangroves. We never plant with volunteers or students because the program is designed so that the local residents benefit from the reforestation right from the start, as all the work is paid for. In the long term, the mangroves provide more fish, which means more income.
In our example nursery, 10,000 mangrove seedlings are grown. According to the specifications of the Department for Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), we have to plant an additional 10 percent in Mati and 15 percent in Baganga. Nobody can explain why the requirements are different, but we follow the regulations.
After the seedlings are released into the wild, around eight percent will not grow. For this reason, an additional ten to fifteen percent are always reared and planted in the nurseries. This covers the losses. All the figures given in our work reports are net figures, i.e. without the surplus from the tree nurseries.
It was Peter from the Amihan Brothers’ birthday. Mama Earth donated a cake with the inscription “Peter for Future”, because the group does an admired job.
Almost every night, turtle clutches are reburied to protect the leathery eggs from predators such as humans, dogs and crows.
A new order placed by mistake. But no problem, because the pupils are looking forward to finally learning in comfort after the vacations.
Elections were held in the Philippines on May 12, 2025, but this does not affect us as a foundation. Hundreds of tons of PVC election posters now have to be recycled.
Once the 10,000 seedlings have grown, they are released into the wild. Not all seedlings can tolerate a change of location, so we record losses of up to 7 percent, but 10 or 15 percent additions cover these. Of the 10,000 mangroves planted, one survives the first year. On average, 86 to 92 percent, so at least 8,600 remain, which will be reduced by a further 5 percent in the following year. In the third year, 8,170 mangroves grew, and in the fourth year, we expect an additional loss of around 3 percent, leaving 7,925 mangroves. In the fifth year, if another 3 percent loss occurs, there will be around 7,680 mangroves. Now comes the significant change, because the mangroves start to bear seeds. If only 20 percent of the 7,680 successfully bring a seed into the sediment, that’s 7,680 plus 1,536 = 9,260. Suppose we assume the same amount again for the following year, 10,786. So there are more mangroves every year. But not infinitely, because there is not enough space. But the mangroves are clever. As the sediment in the roots mixes with the falling leaves, muddy mounds form, creating more space for new mangroves. As a rough estimate, 10,000 planted mangroves can develop into around 13,000 without human intervention once the seedlings have been released into the wild.
Mistakes make good things happen.
Under stress, we accidentally ordered school chairs again—doubly stupid. Firstly, we don’t have any donations, and secondly, it’s currently the school vacations. The delivery will take place on Monday, May 26, 2025, and two classrooms will be furnished in the absence of the pupils. It will be pleasant surprise after their vacation.
