In partnership with the Peoples’ Organizations (POs) in Samar Island, the CONserve-KAIGANGAN Program organized another online biodiversity training titled Biodiversity Along Ecotourism Trail and Birding Site via Facebook and Facebook Messenger Room last November 28, 2021.

The online event was participated by members of three POs in Samar: Basaranan nga Organisasyon han San Isidro Samar (BOSIS), Tourguide and Boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development (TORPEDO), and Tenani Association for Women and Development (TAWAD). BOSIS and TORPEDO are local partners of the program.

The online program started with an opening remarks from Dr. Inocencio E. Buot Jr., Program Leader of CONserve-KAIGANGAN. This was followed by Ms. Elaine Loreen Villanueva, who discussed the Assessment and Monitoring of Forest Ecosystem. The PO members were introduced to biodiversity assessment methods such as Line Intercept Method and Point-Centered Quarter Method, which can be useful for monitoring trees in Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).

After the first topic, assistant Prof. Marjorie delos Angeles delivered another talk on Noteworthy Biodiversity at Samar Island Natural Park. Photographs and technical information on plants and animals in SINP were presented during this talk. The PO members were also consulted to validate the information gathered by the program.

This training was spearheaded by Dr. Inocencio E. Buot, Jr., Chair of the Organizing Committee with Ms. Ren Divien Obeña as the Chief Secretariat.