The Philippines is one of the mega-diverse countries in the world with high species endemism. However, there is a lack of ocean literacy and limited access to marine environmental education in most of the educational institutions around the country. In 2020, we started an initiative of creating an educational children’s storybook that tackles the lack of awareness of coastal ecosystems, focusing on the importance of coral reefs. Together with the Blue Warriors, a youth club in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental; Alimanguan Sagip Pawikan, a community-based turtle conservation organization in Palawan; and a local village in Dapa, Siargao, we have successfully donated...
Mangroves and Community : Oceanus Conservation spoke at the Side event in COP26, Glasgow, Scotland
After a 2-week long negotiations by country delegates, and side events, about 50,000 participants attended online and in-person to share solutions, ideas and build partnerships. We heard many encouraging statements such as leaders representing 90% of the world’s forests pledge to halt deforestation by 2030. EU and US and other 100 countries pledge to cut methane emissions by 2030. The private sector also showed great engagement to help finance and limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius. These are all great promises and we look forward to local actions and translating this to financing on the ground to support small NGOs...
Meet these 16 women restoring the Earth
On International Women’s Day, the Global Landscapes Forum announces its fourth annual list of climate leaders from around the world Our very own Co-founder, Frances Camille Rivera, has been recognize as one of the 16 women restoring the Earth! Check out the blog below: BONN, Germany (8 March 2023) – As humanity lurches from one crisis to another, women worldwide are building solutions to one of the gravest threats of all: climate change. To mark the United Nations’ International Women’s Day (IWD), observed on 8 March, the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is honoring 16 women on the frontline of the...
Blue Carbon Ecosystems:Climatological and Socio-economic Impacts of Mangrove Restoration in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
Mangroves for climate mitigation Mangroves are part of the blue carbon ecosystems (BCE). These are highly productive coastal ecosystems that can store large amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. In this case, mangroves store and sequester substantial amounts of carbon in their aboveground biomass (bark, leaves, branches) and belowground biomass (soil sediment) accumulated. Certainly, mangrove blue carbon ecosystems counterbalance the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Addressing the problem The project site in this research, Surigao del Sur, is highly vulnerable to natural hazards. Significantly, they are susceptible to super typhoons, storms, and flooding. As a result, this can lead to the...
Capacity-Building Training on Mangrove Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Conservation in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
Mangroves in the Philippines We have the common knowledge that whenever we encounter a plant or tree species, we always end up with one conclusion. They absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Conversely, they are called autotrophs. They are organisms that can make their food. And in the process, they support humans and other living things by providing clean and fresh air. This is why mangrove rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation is vital to human survival. However, one type of tree or shrub has been neglected and obscured through time, and individuals are completely unaware of its importance and purpose. And by far...
Days in the Field: Our Interns and Volunteers talk us through their fieldwork experiences
“When you take care of the land, the land takes care of you.” This is Andrew’s testimony about his engagement with the local community on mangrove conservation for Oceanus Conservation—GLFx Mindanao Chapter’s base NGO. Andrew was inspired to join the organization since he views working in conservation as both an honor and a privilege. He promotes helping the present and future generations through the combined efforts of NGOs and LGUs. The strength of social media and networking allowed a large number of volunteers and interns, including Andrew, to join Oceanus. Introducing Angele, a Research Intern, who recently started her journey...
Blue Carbon Project: A one-day training on the Propagation of Sonneratia alba seedlings for the community in Salay, Misamis Oriental
Our Mission As part of our blue carbon project, Oceanus Conservation aims to contribute to the conservation, education, and overall community development of Filipinos. We are organizing training for our partner communities to provide ecosystem services. This would pertain to food security in the years to come and create a sustainable and lasting impact. Knowledge exchange session August 14, 2022. A one-day training was held at the Xavier University – McKeough Marine Center in the municipality of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Oceanus Conservation arranged the event for the Salay Mangrove Association. This is one of the communities that we have been...
The Oceanus Experience: The Intern Life by Avelyn Domingo
As a European Studies student with a budding passion for the environment, diving into a world of environmental and marine biology jargon was jarring. I remember hearing about Oceanus a year prior when I worked with Grounded PH and Oceanus’ collaboration for the Grounded Radio podcast episodes of Ocean Adventures With Cory and There Are Cities Underwater. To say that I was enthralled is an understatement which is why I was so ecstatic when I got the news that I could intern at Oceanus and be a part of their team. The Organization One of the things that surprised me...
Merging Technology and Mangrove Restoration: Mangrove.World Video Game
Why are we losing mangroves? The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most valuable ecosystems on earth. They help mitigate climate change with their capacity to store carbon in the atmosphere. However, the state of the world’s mangroves is declining by 0.2 to 0.7% every year. In relation to that, Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) greatly affected the Philippines last December 2021. The aftermath includes destroyed mangrove forests in most areas to a great extent leaving about P6.9 billion worth of damage. Under those circumstances, Oceanus partnered with the University of Manchester to incorporate our mangrove restoration project with technology. Introducing...
Presentation at the 2nd National Blue Carbon Symposium
Blue Carbon Initiative Seagrass and mangroves are the coastal blue carbon ecosystems of the tropical regions. With this, the BlueCARES Project, a research project of the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia organized its 2nd National Blue Carbon Symposium, an avenue where scientists and practitioners engage and discuss climate-related issues and initiatives. Mangrove Restoration Oceanus Conservation focuses on the blue carbon initiative and provides a nature-based solution as a way to mitigate climate change. Particularly, we aim to restore blue carbon habitats such as mangroves by working with local communities in the Philippines. In addition, our mission is to contribute to the...
Spotlighting Mangroves in the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022
With the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the world’s deep-rooted problems arose. Evidently, climate change, pollution, and the health system are just a few of the many issues that the pandemic is highlighting. This require a major structural change and shared solutions that are rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals in order to have a more concrete goal in mind. In light of this, the United Nations and the Governments of Kenya and Portugal hosted an Ocean Conference that aims to distinguish and set in motion a global ocean action. The conference held at Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal on...
Building a Better World: Mangroves in Minecraft
For over a decade, humans have been responsible for over 60% of mangrove loss. It painted a painful picture of the possibility of losing more mangroves and the ability to restore them. However, great efforts in restoration, replanting, and conservation had made these past few years. With this, there has been a slow decline in the loss of mangrove forests globally. One of these efforts is Minecraft’s newest addition of mangroves in their latest update. The Wild Update: Mangrove Forests June 2022 – In the Overworld, Minecraft finally reveals that they are adding mangroves in their newest The Wild update....