Ayala Land volunteers recently combed parts of its pilot forest protection and regeneration site in Alaminos, Laguna, removing vegetation that suppresses growing native trees in the area and recognizing the importance of forest fire prevention during dry season. The activity was part of NaturALI, a continuing program to promote Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), organized by the company with the help of expert forester Pat Dugan.
ANR departs from conventional tree-planting activities to focus on approaches that foster the growth of naturally-occurring tree species. Participants learned that the best way to grow a forest was to tend the wild native seedlings that sprouted from seeds dispersed by the best reforesters “•bats and birds. This has helped sustain a mindset for environmental stewardship among Ayala Land employees and advance their level of understanding of sustainability and reforestation approaches.
Pat Dugan, who was named 2016 Champion of Asia Pacific Forests by the Food and Agriculture Organization, explained the techniques in a short talk before leading the troop to the hillside for experiential learning. As a developer of sustainable estates, Ayala Land aims to be carbon neutral by 2022. The protection and expansion of permanent forest ecosystems in its landbank through ANR is one of the ways it plans to achieve its goal. NaturALI is among the various initiatives that express Alagang Ayala Land, the company’s commitment to social development and environmental stewardship.
