Sustainable Ecology for Economic Development and Security, Inc.

15/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DP4tosnno/

11/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1KaoJiWuiy/

A bird hiding in plain sight for more than a century has finally been recognized as a species of its own.

The Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation announced on Facebook the description of the Tawi-Tawi Imperial Pigeon, a newly recognized bird species endemic to the forests of Tawi-Tawi in the southern Philippines.

The species, Ducula tawitawi, was described by ornithologist Matthew R. Halley in a paper published September 2 in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club.

What makes the discovery remarkable is that scientists did not suddenly encounter an unknown bird deep in the forest. The evidence had been sitting inside museum collections for decades.

Only three known specimens from Tawi-Tawi were available for the study. Two were collected in 1891 during the Menage Expedition and are preserved at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

A third was collected in 1971 by renowned Filipino ornithologist Dioscoro S. Rabor during an expedition to Tawi-Tawi and is preserved at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.

For years, the birds were associated with the Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Ducula poliocephala. But the Tawi-Tawi specimens have an important difference: white throats instead of brown ones.

Their voices provided another clue. Audio recordings from the 1990s revealed that the Tawi-Tawi population was vocally distinct from both the Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon and the closely related White-bellied Imperial Pigeon.

Based on its unique appearance and voice, Halley described the Tawi-Tawi Imperial Pigeon as a new species.

But the excitement of discovery comes with an urgent warning.

The Tawi-Tawi Imperial Pigeon is endemic to Tawi-Tawi, meaning it is known from nowhere else on Earth. And the forests it depends on are shrinking.

The study warns that the newly recognized species faces an “imminent risk of extinction.”

The Philippines has gained another remarkable species known to science. Now comes the more difficult task: protecting the Tawi-Tawi Imperial Pigeon and its remaining forest habitat before this discovery becomes a record of something we have already lost.

(✍️ Top Dagohoy)

27/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GdYZU2kF1/

20/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GZ8m5aMaP/

Calling All Fellow Mountaineers

Our beloved Sibuyan Island, home to the majestic Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park, is facing one of the greatest threats in its history.

Recently, six members of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando voted to endorse the mining operations of Altai Philippines.

For us mountaineers, this is more than a political issue—it is about protecting a mountain, a forest, and an ecosystem that we have come to love and respect.

The proposed mining activities threaten the Olango Trail, including Camp 1 and the Olango River. The Olango River, our last reliable water source before the ascend and several nearby rivers are feared to be affected by mining operations and waste drainage if the project proceeds. Beyond mountaineering, these rivers are vital to the communities and biodiversity of Sibuyan Island.

Today, the future of Sibuyan Island—and especially Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park—stands at a critical crossroads.

We are humbly calling on our fellow mountaineers, mountaineering organizations, environmental groups, and nature advocates to stand with us, the people of Sibuyan.

We respectfully request mountaineering clubs and organizations to issue statements against mining activities that may threaten Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park and its surrounding watersheds. These will be consolidated and submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bayay Sibuyanon, a non-government organization committed to protecting Sibuyan Island and its natural heritage.

Your voice matters. Your support matters.

Please keep Sibuyan Island in your prayers and help us amplify this call. Together, let us defend one of the Philippines’ greatest natural treasures—not only for today’s climbers, but for future generations who deserve to experience the same pristine forests, crystal-clear rivers, and breathtaking mountains that have inspired us all.

No to destructive mining. Yes to protecting Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park and Sibuyan Island.

Thank you very much.

18/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19DFwRcsSK/

13/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18w3bQciYY/

According to Ryamico R. Reyes, a Filipino biologist and researcher from the University of Santo Tomas, tropical lakes can store significant amounts of methane—a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide.

His research shows that typhoons and other extreme weather disturbances influence how methane is stored and released, suggesting that more frequent and intense storms brought about by climate change could increase methane emissions from our lakes. Reyes also emphasized that protecting freshwater ecosystems from pollution and eutrophication can help reduce methane production and support healthier lakes.

The findings underscore the importance of expanding research on Philippine lakes to strengthen science-based climate adaptation and environmental management.

Check out the comments section below for more details!

09/03/2026

📢 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧!

✨ Are you a researcher, student, environmental advocate, tree grower, or someone curious about 𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢? Then this webinar is for you!

Join us as we celebrate the International Day of the Forests through our webinar, 𝘼𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨: 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝-𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚🌳

Hear from our specialist, For. Rustum A. Aguilos, as he discusses the importance of science-based and responsible production of 𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 to support sustainable agarwood production while protecting our forests. 🌿

📅 March 23, 2026, 9:00 AM
📡 Live on Facebook
📝 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ERDBAquiReg
🎓 E-certificates available for participants!

Register now and learn how science supports responsible 𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 production. See you at the webinar! 💚

02/09/2025

Celebrating my 12th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

19/08/2025

: Agriculture in cities is becoming more common in response to achieving food self-sufficiency.

A recent study found that cucumbers, tubers, lettuces, and other crops that are grown in urban settings yield two to four times higher than their conventionally grown counterparts.

Read the full article here: https://agriculture.com.ph/2023/02/03/study-says-urban-farming-sometimes-exceeds-the-production-of-conventional-farming/

26/07/2025