Nursing forests back to health is the aim of efforts in the municipality of Ayungon in the province of Negros Oriental, the Philippines, reports an article in The Philippine Star.

Local people’s organizations are working together with government officials and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) “to bring about a greener region”.

“The hills of Ayungon have been rendered barren for years,” says the article. Now through the establishment of an impressive 9.4 hectare mechanized nursery, millions of seedlings will be produced and some 500 workers hired to embark on a massive tree cultivation effort.

Among the species to be planted are Acacia mangium trees which are fast-growing and will provide shelter and shade for tropical lowland rainforest trees – dipterocarps – which provide a good source of timber.

“The ultimate goal is to create the correct environment for the dipterocarps and to return the original forest cover,” explains Isabelo Montejo, DENR regional director.

Agroforestry is being successfully implemented in Ayungon, says Montejo, with agricultural crops being planted among the trees. This ensures farmers have a steady source of income while waiting for the trees to reach their full potential.

Read the full story: Grow green, Go Big