Philippine crocodile PHOTO BY MERLIJN VAN WEERD
The Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience) or B+WISER Program, a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is working with communities from the nine municipalities in Isabela province within NSMNP: Maconacon, Divilican, Palanan, Dinapigue, San Mariano, Ilagan, Tumauini, Cabagan, and San Pablo. B+WISER, now on its third year, has come up with a forest restoration strategy for NSMNP to help restore forest cover and conserve the protected area’s rich biodiversity. Also, B+WISER alongside partner the Haribon Foundation conducted a series of workshops for teachers and students, who have now become champions of conservation, and call themselves Eco Guardians and Eco Rangers respectively—birthing community-based conservation projects with the support of DENR, the local governments, and other agencies.