By Stephanie De Jesus and Elisha Razon As fourth-year Environmental Science students, we began our internship at Oceanus Conservation with prior experience in fieldwork and sampling. We expected challenging conditions and hands-on learning opportunities, but our time in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur exceeded those expectations in ways we could never have imagined. This experience offered valuable insights into the interconnectedness of environmental science and development work reinforcing our commitment to careers in biodiversity conservation and ecological research. Immersed in the field Our internship, 1,276 kilometers from home, immersed us in the realities of field-based conservation and community engagement. From the...
Oceanus Conservation’s Blue Carbon Program Extends to Tago, Surigao del Sur
After completing restoration efforts in Cagwait, Oceanus Conservation’s Blue Carbon Program enters its livelihood phase. To expand restoration across neighboring areas, site assessments were conducted in February 2025 to identify nearby municipalities with degraded mangrove areas and communities aligned with our goals for ecological rehabilitation. This expansion also aligns and supports DENR’s effort in restoring Abandoned, Undeveloped, and Underutilized areas to mangrove forest. Project Launch in Tago The municipality of Tago welcomed Oceanus Conservation with open arms, alongside the Purisima Aquaculture Farming Association (PAFA). According to the Coastal Fisheries and Resource Management Plan set for 2022-2026, Tago is home to...
Magtanim ay ‘Di Biro: The most important thing I learned from mangrove planting with our partner community
#FieldStories: We invited our Field Officer, Bianca, to share her learnings in Oceanus Conservation and working alongside people and nature. I am Bianca, a Field Officer for Oceanus’ AI/Machine Learning-Powered Digital Monitoring of Mangrove Ecosystems in Surigao del Sur, Philippines Project. As a Field Officer, I am tasked with conducting on-the-ground work such as collecting mangrove data and facilitating the rehabilitation work. My role extends beyond the technical aspects of mangrove rehabilitation and conservation. It is about fostering genuine connections, engaging in meaningful conversations, and building relationships that are the lifeblood of this project. From educating the community on effective...
Empowering Coastal Communities: Project MaSANAYAN strengthens marine conservation in the Philippines
Oceanus Conservation is dedicated to empowering coastal communities as they take on a crucial role in safeguarding marine ecosystems. Through Project MaSANAYAN—short for Mangrove and Seagrass Advocacy for Nurturing Awareness and Youth Action in Nature—Oceanus, in partnership with the Rumah Foundation, is supporting local conservation efforts in key coastal areas across the Philippines. Building Local Conservation Capacity The project aims to strengthen the capacity of community leaders and youth advocates in coastal towns such as Aringay, La Union; Bais City, Negros Oriental; and Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, equipping them with essential skills to monitor and protect blue carbon habitats like mangroves and seagrass. By involving both experienced community leaders...
Growing Futures: Exploring Livelihood through Mangrove-Based Non-Timber Products
For the past five years, Oceanus Conservation has been at the forefront of mangrove restoration and conservation in the Philippines. As one of the pioneering NGOs in this field, many see restoration efforts as a simple act of planting trees, efforts have often prompted the question: “After all the planting, what will we gain?” Why Non-Timber Mangrove Products? This question found a powerful answer in the launching of first-ever training in the Philippines that focused on non-timber products from mangroves titled as, “PAG-USWAG SA KATUNGGAN: Training on Sustainable Non-Timber Mangrove-based Products” which brought together 24 participants coming from our four...
The power of community: reflections from a field officer
One morning, before heading out for another day of work in the muddy fishponds which I consider my office, I was encouraged to join the Generation of Sea and Earth Advocates (GenSEA) camp. In the program, I saw “project pitching” and immediately thought, “Is this like Shark Tank?”. So without much thinking, I said yes. A few weeks later, straight from our site in Surigao del Sur (check out the work we’re doing there) I arrived in Nasugbu, Batangas. There it hit me – this would be my first time attending a conference in the marine science space, and I’d...
Security Bank Grows Resilient Communities with Mangrove Restoration Effort
Press Release: A Sustainable Commitment to Coastal Protection and Livelihood La Union, Philippines—In celebration of “Month of the Ocean”, Security Bank has taken a bold step toward environmental sustainability by planting 940 native mangrove seedlings alongside the Dulao Fishpond and Fishpen Producers Cooperative, in collaboration with Oceanus Conservation and Communities for Nature. This initiative marks the first year of Project MITHI, which is currently at 4940 planted seedlings out of 10,000 mangrove seedlings to strengthen coastal ecosystems and community resilience. The volunteer-driven initiative saw 43 Security Bank employees from nine branches—including representatives from the Head Office and locations in La...
Staying Open: Lessons from the Asia Landscape Leadership Camp in Bogor
By: Emmanuel Cababarros Jr. On April 21–23, I had the privilege of attending the Asia Landscape Leadership Camp in Bogor, Indonesia—an experience that deeply shaped my perspective on conservation and leadership. As the Project Leader at Oceanus Conservation and a member of GLFx Mindanao, this was not just my first time traveling abroad but also one of the most impactful learning journeys I’ve had. Building Leadership for Sustainable Landscapes Held at CIFOR-ICRAF, the camp was organized by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLFx) to bring together young landscape leaders across Asia. It provided tools, connections, and perspectives to strengthen our leadership, ensuring it is rooted in community, justice, and sustainability....
Biodiversity on Lens: Youth Citizen Science in Action
The role of youth in environmental conservation is becoming increasingly vital. Citizen science is one of the most effective tools for engaging young people in hands-on environmental conservation work. One exciting initiative under the Global Landscape Forum (GLFx) Mindanao Chapter is the Biodiversity on Lens: Youth Citizen Science in Action. This initiative brought together youth participants from all over the Philippines to learn, identify, and document species! Through this activity, 22 enthusiastic participants from provinces across the Philippines engaged in meaningful conservation efforts! With the guidance of expert facilitators, participants learned how to use citizen science tools like iNaturalist. They...
“BayBayanihan sa Capiz”: What Happens When Youth Lead the Charge for Climate Action?
In the face of rising sea levels and environmental degradation, a movement is taking root in Capiz—one driven by the passion and determination of young leaders. Certainly, BayBayanihan sa Capiz: Climate Awareness & Action Workshop isn’t just a workshop; it’s a movement for climate resilience that empowers youth with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience to create real change in their communities. Oceanus Conservation and Global Landscapes Forum (GLFx) have been proud partners in empowering communities and strengthening grassroots conservation efforts. This activity is part of the GLFx Mindanao Chapter Internship Program. Empowering 44 Capiznon Youth for Conservation and Climate...