Neither the slick, rain-soaked soil, the grueling mud-covered trail, nor the river crossings could dampen the resolve of Mindoro State University’s (MinSU) green advocates.
On February 26, 2026, Bachelor of Science in Agroforestry students and faculty members from the MinSU Main Campus trekked to the university's Techno Demo Farm for a tree-planting activity themed “Tree Stewardship: Leaf to Lift a Greener Future.”
The environmental initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Christian B. Apostol, Campus Executive Director and Program Chairperson of BS Agroforestry, together with faculty members and officers of the Agroforestry Society.
Unlike traditional tree-planting activities often described as “plant and leave,” where seedlings are left to grow on their own, the highlight of the initiative was a “plant and live” tree adoption system. Under this approach, each student commits to nurturing and monitoring the tree they planted. Through this system, participants learn that environmental conservation is not a one-day activity but a long-term responsibility.
“Tree planting doesn’t end when the seed touches the soil—it begins there,” said Lorenz Clacite, President of the Agroforestry Society. “Real impact grows through patience, constant care, and a commitment that endures as long as the roots themselves,” he added.
A total of 128 students and three faculty members participated in the activity, braving the slippery terrain and muddy trail to reach the planting site.
For Ms. Jolly Oliveria, a BS Agroforestry faculty member, the activity reflects what she calls “sustainagility” - a blend of sustainability and agility. She described the mission in simple but powerful terms: “agarang aksyon, pangmatagalang solusyon” (immediate action, long-term solution), emphasizing that empowering young people to take meaningful steps today can spark lasting ecological change tomorrow.
Through initiatives like this, students cultivate not only trees but also a deeper understanding of their role as stewards of the environment.
The activity also supports broader national efforts to restore forest cover in the Philippines amid growing threats of deforestation and climate change. By integrating environmental stewardship into its academic programs, MinSU ensures that its graduates are not only equipped with professional knowledge but also grounded in ecological responsibility.
As the students made their way back along the muddy trail—pants stained, hands soiled, but spirits high - they carried more than just the memory of a meaningful day in the field. They carried a promise: to help lift a greener future, one tree at a time.
via Annalyn Abuyog and Joan Ramirez
#SDG15 #SDG13 #SDG4
302 Staff
10531 Students
9 Colleges
3 Years
