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For some, planting 100,000 trees may seem like a daunting task. But with the help of invaluable, partner organizations, corporations, government agencies, and individual volunteers, NUVALI is taking the challenge step by step, one day at a time.
In fact, since starting T.R.E.E. (Together reforesting Earth’s Environment), NUVALI’s tree planting program early last year, the company has already managed to plant more thank 3,000 trees within NUVALI’s 17-kilometer wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (not including trees planted inside NUVALI’s on-going subdivisions and commercial areas). The NUVALI team of Ayala Land had preserved hundreds of existing trees in an area which has more than 65 various bird species as audited by Haribon Foundation.
“Earth is the only home we have so it’s really important that we take good care of it. I appreciate NUVALI for its massive efforts in promoting environmental sustainability, “said Charidee Lumpas, a forecast analyst for Western Europe market of Procter and Gamble (P&G).
P&G is one of the many corporations who have lent their hands in planting trees in NUVALI. Last July, P&G and its employees planted over 100 trees within the 1, 750 hectare eco-community that spans the cities of Sta. Rosa and Calamba in Laguna.
NUVALI, with its objective to develop a community with sustainability to the environment is met while it grows as the first and largest eco-community. “ It is of great relief to know that NUVALI is not only after profit but also promotes and sustains good life for its future inhabitants,” said Lumpass, who organized the recent T.R.E.E. volunteer group activity by P&G at NUVALI. “I am also proud to belong to a company that genuinely supports the same vision that I have when it comes to taking good care of our environment.
Planting trees is of paramount importance for NUVALI, especially because the whole township revolves around a community thriving harmoniously with nature; where there is a balance between responsibility and sustainability in an eco-friendly surrounding.
NUVALI understands that T.R.E.E. ensures the welfare of the natural environment through the preservation and enhancement of existing eco-systems in the area. It understands that planted areas provide not only an interesting and soothing environment, but also as a learning surrounding for its community, conveying the important role of trees for the environment. It also encourages partnership with individuals and organizations who share the same cause.
For NUVALI, trees are an integral part of its landscape, with more than 50 percent of its land area dedicated to open spaces and green areas. In this development, trees play an important role in maintaining environmental balance as they mitigate the effects of pollution by providing habitat and food for wildlife, preventing wind and soil erosion, producing oxygen, and retaining and cleaning water underneath the soil.
“I have always wanted o get involved in nature friendly activities like this because I know how crucial it is to take care of the environment,” said the 23-year-old environmentalist.
According to her, it was through Rromy Garduce (who also happens to work inP&G), one of the famed Filipino mountaineers who had reached the peak of Mt. Everest, that she got involved with NUVALI’s eco-friendly activity.
“We have a wellness circle in P&G called Eko-Adventure Club headed and organized by Romy. The club’s activities largely focus (but not limited to) nature friendly outdoor activities like tree planting, underwater clean-up, etc,” she elaborated. With this it appears that P&G and Ayala Land share the same vision in creating avenues that that encourage a responsible work-life balance for its employees through experiential trips environmental sustainability exposure trips such as tree planting and other volunteerism programs.
With Garduce’s extensive network of acquaintances, Lumpas went through planning, inviting participants, ocular inspection and all the drills of organizing a tree-planting activity.
Tree-planting is one of the easiest activities any group can organize that’s both fun and educational, and which can be enjoyed by kids, teens and adults. “I went to NUVALI for the tree planting activity together with my friends and office mates and their families. We started around 8:30 am and took more or less an hour and a half.” she said.
Together, the group planted around 100 trees, mostly Ilang-ilang and Katmon. T.R.E.E. is a program geared to enhance the natural habitat of wildlife, and protect endemic and indigenous species of plants currently found in the Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. During the whole lifespan of project T.R.E.E., only native, indigenous and endemic species (tree species naturally found in the Philippines) are to be planted such as Igyo, Pagsahingin, Copper pod, Molave, balitbitan, and Palo maria, Ipil, Narra, Palosapis, Supa, Saplungan, Palawan cherry, Antipolo, and other fruit trees which provide a proper habitat for birds and other wildlife.
NUVALI makes use only of these species since these are well acclimatized to the local area conditions ensuring the trees to have high survival rates. In consideration of sustainable landscaping practices, endemic and indigenous species require relatively less irrigation and maintenance.
Planting trees play an important role in this 1,750 hectare sustainable township development. As a real estate developer, caring for the environment has its benefits in the long-term. Fresh clean air, abundant water, wide green open spaces create a very healthy and clean environment that will reap environment dividends for the whole of NUVALI and the surrounding communities of the greater Laguna area.
Tree-planting activities among colleagues, family and friends not only promote caring for the environment, but also encourage teamwork, camaraderie and the opportunity to marvel at life’s greatest gift of nature.
“I’m definitely looking forward to join future tree-planting activities in NUVALI, “she said.” And I encourage everyone and corporations, to join this noble project. There’s nothing like knowing you’ve done something good for the environment.”
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