BSU hosts webinar on forest researches and community-based policies

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Aiming to update foresters and environmental practitioners on new forestry researches and local policies, the BSU-College of Forestry (BSU-CF) conducted a webinar on forest researches and community-based policies on November 21, 2020.  Dr. Guillermo Mendoza, professor emeritus of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, USA, was the guest speaker. There were 62 individuals who participated in the webinar.

The webinar started with BSU-CF Dean, Dr. Conrado Bao-idang welcoming the participants and briefly discussing the importance of knowledge exchange in the profession especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

International Relations Office (IRO) Director Marissa Parao formally introduced Dr. Mendoza. She mentioned that Dr. Mendoza is a part of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Balik Scientist Program. She announced that the webinar is a preliminary of the program since Dr. Mendoza chose BSU as his host institute.

The Balik Scientist Program is an opportunity for Filipino scientists, technologists, and experts abroad to return and work in the Philippines to share their expertise in their chosen field. On June 15, 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte institutionalized the program with RA 11035 "Balik Scientist Act.” 

In his lecture, Dr. Mendoza shared his expertise in carbon estimation and forest biomass. His discussions included using allometric equation, a model used to express the total biomass of the tree based on basic tree parameters (diameter, height, basal area etc.) He also introduced some carbon assessment softwares such as USAID Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) Calculator and Ex-Ante Carbon Tool (EX- ACT). In his closing, he expressed his eagerness for future engagements with BSU and other SUCs in the region.

The webinar also featured lectures from BSU- Geographic Information System (GIS) Dir. Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres; FBS Department Chairperson Forester Bernard Peter O. Daipan and Dr. Parao, who are all faculty members of the BSU-CF.

Dir. Roscinto Ian Lumbres presented his study, “Changes in Biomass and Carbon Stocks of Burnham Park, Baguio City.” He mentioned that the results of the study can be recommended for mitigating measures and future site development of the city. 

Forester Daipan presented the study,” Geomorphometric Analysis of the Bued Watershed Using the ASTER GDEM Data and Geospatial Techniques.” The study is deemed to be useful for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) units in the preparation and/ or updating of the Watershed Management Plan (WMP) of the Bued Watershed.

Dr.  Parao lectured on the “Competency Appraisal as a Tool in Improving the Board Exam Performance of BS Forestry Graduates of BSU.” She showed the examination performance of BSU forestry graduates and gave recommendations for improvement based on her study.
Furthermore, five BSU Forestry graduate students also presented their papers on the local policies and indigenous environmental laws in the region. 

Forester John Dennis Angway presented the Batangan System, a sustainable indigenous forest resource management system in Mountain Province. Forester Brenda Pullido-Gandeza lectured on community participation in forest management and environmental security. Forester Gladys Jhade Sabo-Palberas discussed the implementation of the Writ of Kalikasan, a decree protecting the Sto. Tomas reserve. Foreseer Edward Penaranda presented the results of their study “Third Party Assessment on National Greening Program.” Lastly, Forester Marilyn Galangey shared their study on the regeneration of Benguet Pine trees in Alapang Communal Forest. The activity concluded with the participants sharing their insights and takeaways from the webinar.//GBPalberas