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The Annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium: Where Science and People Meet

Posted on July 31, 2017

The 26th Annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium kicked of its activities last July 18-22, 2017 at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. With the theme “New and Emerging Trends in Biodiversity Research and Conservation” this yearly event, organized by the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP) and the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology, has again gathered leading Filipino and International luminaries in the fields of wildlife studies and biodiversity conservation in the Philippines. 

This yearly event, which started in 1992 in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, has successfully provided the much-needed venue for a diverse set of followers – from academics and research institutions, government agencies and non-government organizations, to high school, undergraduate, graduate students and independent researchers- to share and learn from recent and up to date scientific information on Philippine biodiversity and ecology.

Since it has been a tradition for this occasion to feature distinguished wildlife scientists and conservation practitioners, the 26th installment of this annual symposium not only gave the floor to Biodiversity Monitoring Bureau Assistant Director Antonio Manila for the keynote message, it also highlighted the vital work done by Whitley Fund for Nature awardees namely: Ms. Marites Gatan-Balbas of the Mabuwaya Foundation, Mr. Jayson Ibanez, representing the Philippine Eagle Foundation, and Ms. Indira Lacerna-Widmann of the Katala Foundation.

Also featured in the event are institutional exhibits from various organizations actively engaged in biodiversity research and conservation. Needless to say, this activity has encouraged diverse groups engaged in biodiversity conservation to establish partnerships and strengthen existing networks. These partnerships will eventually be translated to more effective policies, skillsets, and tools in the field of wildlife studies and biodiversity protection and conservation.

Aside from Scientific oral presentations from different speakers, the use of technological innovations and tools were also showcased. Mr. Merlijn van Weerd of the Mabuwaya Foundation, presented the study “Using drones as a biodiversity research and conservation tool.” This was followed by Dr. Ariel Blanco’s “Remote Sensing in support of Biodiversity Studies: Opportunities and Challenges” from the UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry, Department of Geodetic Engineering in University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Concurrent workshop sessions also attracted professionals and students alike. Topics included areas on conservation and the use of tools in protecting and conserving biodiversity in different ecosystems such as the “Forest and coastal resources information extraction from LiDAR”; “Generating stakeholders’ support for sea turtle conservation: From diet to conservation” to name a few.

The event ended with a field visit to the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal province, with participants looking forward to the meeting of great minds in wildlife protection and biodiversity conservation in the years to come.

The 26th Annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium was presented in cooperation with FPE, Biodiversity Management Bureau of DENR, GIZ, Team Energy Foundation and Pensoft Publishers. The event was also sponsored by the Center for Conservation Innovation, Crocodylus porosus Philippines Inc., Energy Development Cooperation, roots.asia, Center for Outdoor Recreation and Expedition, Quezon City Government, Ateneo de Manila University Press, among others.