We're on a Mission to conserve the "Best Island in the World"
FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS
"SAVING THE ALMACIGA TREE" PROJECT
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER" TO THE FOREST
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER" TO THE FOREST
LATEST PROGRAMS
30x30 Southeast asia
PROPOSED SULTAN PEAK CRITICAL HABITAT
PROPOSED SULTAN PEAK CRITICAL HABITAT
PROPOSED SULTAN PEAK CRITICAL HABITAT
PROPOSED SULTAN PEAK CRITICAL HABITAT
PROPOSED SULTAN PEAK CRITICAL HABITAT
YOUTH LEADER INCUBATOR
PROPOSED SULTAN PEAK CRITICAL HABITAT
YOUTH LEADER INCUBATOR
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE CRITICAL HABITAT
Philippines' Biggest Critical Habitat 41,350 Hectares
The Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) project started in 2014, and project achievements include:
- Community-led management planning
- Community ranger training
- Community-led tour guide training
- Baseline biodiversity research
- Youth environmental education
- Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) legally established in 2017 by the Philippine Government
'SAVING THE ALMACIGA TREE' PROJECT
Reforested 15,063 Almaciga Seedlings at Cleopatra's Needle
The Almaciga tree (Agathis philippinensis) is the primary non-timber forest product of the forests of Cleopatra’s Needle—its high-value resin represents approximately 80% of the income of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) who have lived in this area since time immemorial. This ancient coniferous tree used to dominate the forests of northern Palawan—over-harvesting, together with illegal activities, now threaten its existence. The indigenous communities in the area together with CS aim to ensure the future of the Almaciga tree, and thus livelihood and existence of the IPs, through research, reforestation, education & training, and management & enforcement.
Started in 2014 at Cleopatra’s Needle, project achievements include:
- Baseline survey of the endangered Almaciga tree
- Community-led propagation & reforestation
- Community-led resource management workshops
'KNOWLEDGE IS POWER' TO THE FOREST
Trained 17 Forest Rangers as Parabiologists
Started in 2019 at Cleopatra’s Needle, project achievements include:
- Training indigenous & community rangers of Cleopatra’s Needle as PARABIOLOGISTS = to conduct biodiversity data collection on patrol.
- Communication trainings to parabiologist rangers to defend & disseminate findings to their local communities & political decision-makers.
- Parabiologists conducting biodiversity data collection, and knowledge transfer & exchange with indigenous & community members, of proposed Sultan Peak Critical Habitat.
SAVING SULTAN PEAK'S TREASURES
Proposed Sultan Peak Critical Habitat
The MAIN GOAL of this project is to CONSERVE & SECURE Sultan Peak’s Forests through its legal establishment as a protected area. To achieve this and ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, we will accomplish the following:
1. Community Integration, Groundwork and Organizing
2. Securing Free Prior & Informed Consent
3. Research and Documentation
4. Pursuance of Legal Declaration
5. Community preparation for protected area management
6. "Saving the Almaciga" Tree project
30X30 SOUTHEAST ASIA
Philippines Commits to 30x30 at UN Biodiversity Convention
A campaign to lobby for the Philippines and ASEAN Member States to join the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People, and commit to protecting 30% of land & water by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference.
Started in 2022, project achievements include:
- The Philippines Joins the HAC!
- Active Participation in National & International Processes: We have secured a position in the Philippine Sub-Committee on Biodiversity, advocating for IPLCs, women, and youth as the Philippine Government works to formulate & implement our National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP).
- Wealth of Communication Materials: Through the dedication of our youth volunteers, we successfully bridged the gap in conversations and localized materials on 30x30 in Southeast Asia. These resources, all freely available for use, empower stakeholders with accessible insights and tools for effective advocacy and action.
- 30x30 Southeast Asia Coalition: The campaign started as a small coalition of 3 organizations – now it has more than 340 members composed of individuals and groups in Southeast Asia, helping to spread the word and adding credibility to the lobbying work for the campaign.
YOUTH LEADER INCUBATOR
Search for the Next Youth Leaders
We’re always looking toward the future generations at CS where we’ve learnt that building up leaders, including our next Executive Director, takes time. Long-time CS supporters know our pillars of work: Land Conservation, Reforestation, and Citizen Science. To aid our search for our next leaders at CS and beyond, we’re excited to launch a new pillar of work:
YOUTH LEADERSHIP: We mentor & support Youth across the Philippines to fundraise for and lead their own conservation projects in their own communities. We do this by training Youth in fundraising & project management, and serve as their fiscal sponsor.
*At CS, we define Youth as 15-35 years old, encompassing definitions of the UN Secretariat and UNESCO Global Youth Community
If you are an aspiring Youth* conservation leader, know someone in your network that could benefit from this opportunity, or interested to support this Program, learn more and get involved!