MulTREEply: A Haribon Foundation Tree Planting Activity

Each and one of us has its own responsibility to the environment. I think one must take his part in protecting the nature and preserving the environment. After all, all of us depends on our surroundings and we must impart ourselves on taking caring of it.

The last time I've been to an outreach program was already a year ago or so. I know it's wrong to say that "I'm busy" or "I don't have much time" but despite of these lame excuses of mine I ensure that I, in my own simple way, take care of my environment. These simple ways such as; not to litter, turn off the lights or anything plugged into electricity when not in use, conserve the water and so forth... When I'm on the road I ensure that I am responsible enough to travel. And so the saying goes; "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time".

One of the things I would really like to do to give back to the community and our environment is to have or join a tree planting activity. I love trees, really! Despite I love the color green, trees really look fascinating to me.

A few months ago, I've chanced upon a post from Haribon Foundation about a Tree Planting Activity. Actually, I've planned to join them years back but because of my lame excuses again I wasn't able to confirm.  So when I saw the post about the activity, I have set my schedule and confirmed with the group of joining them. Few days later, I received an email from them containing the program lay out, the time and setting, things to bring, as well as the group I would be joining. I asked some friends to join me but seems all of them are busy so it was just me after all.

I don't have so much expectation about the activity and thought it's just going to be a sort of a small group activity but when I arrived at the assembly area, surprisingly, there's around thousands of participants.

I had registered first; I was given a blue sticker which determines my group assignment then I proceeded to the covered tent to join the other members.

A few minutes later, the Haribon Foundation members showed everyone how to properly plant a tree.

After that, we were asked to get to our vehicle assignment going to our ground assignment.

And here's the part of the land area where the other groups will be planting the trees.

And here's our area.

And so let's start planting trees...

I was so happy seeing countless people joined the group and took their part on nurturing the environment. There were families, friends and co-workers. I was also glad that students and teachers from different schools joined the event. But more than anything else, I was so happy that a lot of kids also joined the group along with their families. They are even the most eager one to plant those trees, looking for those spots ready to be planted with trees.

Those scenarios kind of relieved from my worries that this world might be somehow to be like the Thneedville someday. Also, seeing those scenes made me want to join this event again bringing my family and friends.

Each participant should be able to plant three or four trees. I think I was able to plant four or five trees bare-hand.

Well, I forgot to bring a shovel and hand gloves. Thus, I don't have a choice but to plant those trees with my bare hands. Good thing I brought a liter of water so to wash my hands afterwards.

And so I hope this tree grow and live longer. 

And here's how the area looked like after all the participants planted the trees. I hope land developers will not cut these trees so for them to build villages around. And so I wonder, what's on this area before?

If you would like to join the next Haribon Foundation Tree Planting activities, you may check their website at www.haribon.org.ph

You may also like them on their official Facebook Page for updates and any other activities initiated by the foundation.

Let's protect the nature and preserve life! Take your part!

Please feel free to share any group that promotes advocacy about the environment by commenting below. And If you know any small-group or non-commercialized foundation which I can join to that conducts tree planting activity or any activity about our environment, please do contact me.