The Green Root Division

would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for your involvement and contribution to the Birds in the City Campaign.

As this campaign concludes, Haribon reminds everyone that our care and compassion for our urban birds doesn’t just end here.

There are so many ways to help protect our avian species in our cities, and here are 5 ways you can do so! 🍃🐦

Thank you once again for joining Birds in the City!

You may access more information and details through our survey data form: https://bit.ly/Haribon2024UrbanBirdSurvey

We would also like to commend the Treesponse team from De La Salle University for their invaluable contribution for these designs.

See you all next year!

Rabanos (Raphanus caudatus), or rat’s tail radish, is an herb that grows from 90 to 100 cm tall, cultivated in the Ilocos region specifically for its edible seed pods characterized by its slender and knobbed appearance. This type of radish lacks the large taproot commonly seen in public markets.

The pods have a crunchy texture and a mildly spicy taste. They can be prepared as pinakbet, dinengdeng, and inartem (pickled). Young shoots and flowers of rabanos are also edible and usually consumed as salad.

What's up mga ka- ? Ready na ba kayo for another TREEvia?

This Philippine native tree species has a very limited distribution in the country. It is so far recorded only in four provinces: Isabela, Quezon, Camarines Norte in Luzon, and Surigao in Mindanao.

Do you have the answer? Share with us down below in the comments section!

The Luzon bleeding-heart dove. This species is endangered by deforestation

To contribute to rainforestation efforts in their native Philippines visit:

https://haribon.org.ph/

Christmas is the perfect time to show love for those you hold deer-ly! 🦌

While the Philippine Deer (𝑅𝑢𝑠𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎) may not be found among the reindeer pulling Santa's sled, they hold an equally special place in our hearts. It's sad to know they are facing a significant threat and have been identified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and excessive hunting.

In a recent incident, this elusive mammal, known for its gentle and sensitive nature, found itself roaming Barangay Duyay in Boac, Marinduque. Thanks to the community's compassionate response, they were able to ensure its safe return to the wild: https://bitly.ws/3323P

Heartwarming stories like this highlight the importance of raising awareness and appreciation for our Philippine native fauna. 💚

Let's work together and give the Philippine Deer the love it deserves!

An obvious relatives

Balimbing (Averrhoa carambola) and Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi) are two naturalized species of fruit-bearing trees from the genus Averrhoa. Both species produce acidic fruits that are consumed throughout the Philippines.

The planned Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) aims to contribute to the efficiency of our country’s transportation system. It is a six-lane elevated infrastructure to be built on top of the Pasig River. However, various groups and individuals disagree due to its perceived negative impact on public mobility, heritage, environment, and public health.

Listen to the stimulating presentations and exchanges, and get motivated to act to strengthen one’s stand on the project.

Join us as we tackle this issue in our 401st episode of Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Forum, “Pasig River Expressway: Pros & Cons” November 17, 2023; 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm, via ZOOM.
Interested participants are required to pre-register at bit.ly/2023Kamayan. Successful pre-registrants will receive confirmation and the details to enter the Zoom webinar.

A video recording of the webinar will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/greenconvergencephilippines. This online event is organized by Green Convergence with Kamayan Restaurant.

Dioscorea hispida: Transforming from poison to food, a symbol of indigenous knowledge.

Our ancestors possessed the wisdom to convert inedible species into nourishment. Take gabi (Colocasia esculenta), for instance, which, in its raw form, induces extreme itchiness due to the presence of calcium oxalate. Yet, through various techniques like washing, drying, and mindful cooking, we learned to eliminate this.

Beyond gabi, did you know that another species, initially toxic, becomes edible through an extensive detoxifying process? Meet Dioscorea hispida, locally known as karot, kayos, kudot, kulot, nami, namo, mamo, and numerous other vernacular names.

Dioscorea hispida, also known as intoxicating yam, harbors cyanogenic compounds in its fresh tuber, capable of causing cyanide poisoning. Symptoms include vomiting, dizziness, and rapid respiration. Interestingly, this species is employed as an organic pesticide.

The detoxification process is a common practice among local and indigenous communities in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The intricate procedure typically commences with peeling and thinly slicing the tuber. Once an ample amount is sliced, it is submerged in a brine solution, then placed in a sack or net and submerged in water. Some communities prefer rivers, while others use the sea. There are also communities who submerge the tuber in big basins filled with underground well water. Varied expressions of traditional knowledge exist in diverse communities. For instance, in Mindoro, the skin of the panaki plant is incorporated during the curing process to facilitate detoxification. The Tagbanwa community in Palawan places a big stone on top of the sliced tuber to help in extraction of the poision. In certain Indonesian communities, the tuber undergoes rubbing with ash. In coastal communities in the archipelago, the presence of feeding shrimps indicate that the submerged sliced tuber is ready.

After several days, the sliced tuber is rinsed and sun-dried. The processed tuber is usually consumed by boiling, steaming, or frying.

Pokpoklo (Codium edule) is a seasonal and edible mineral-rich algae that is popular in northern part of the Philippines. It has worm-like branches that is smooth and gummy in texture.

Locals eat it fresh, with chopped onions or shallots (lasona), tomatoes, and souring agent (calamansi or vinegar). It is naturally salty so there is no need to add any salt.

A recent study by a team of researchers from the University of Santo Tomas, headed by Dr. Ross Izon Vasquez, found that polysaccharides extracted from pokpoklo are effective against cancer cells and destructive enzymes associated with cancer metastasis.

Follow Lokalpedia for more posts about Philippine food biodiversity and heritage

Alamin natin kung paano nagkakaroon ng coconut apple sa loob ng coconut. 💙

'Reclamation Nation', dokumentaryo ni Atom Araullo (Full episode) | I-Witness Mahigit 180 reclamation projects ang isinusulong ngayon sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa. Para saan ba ang mga proyektong ito? Ano ang kapalit? At sino ang mak...

Did you know that there are different tree species called as Yakal? Locals describe them as large trees with superior wood quality.

Though its roots are classified under the Dipterocarpaceae family, variations of the majestic Yakal have evolved to thrive in their surroundings across the country, picking up their own unique traits in the process.

The following graph was found while surfing the web. Seeing the loss of is really devastating 🦋🐝🪰

via CREAF, IPBES, Sanchez-Bayo & Wyckhuys, Biological Conservation