MSUN Grow Talabaan Project Phase 2

26/03/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝
In line with its commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement, the Office of the Gender and Development (OGAD) of Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN), in collaboration with the Grow Talabaan Project and the Local Government of Naawan, conducted a tree planting activity on March 21, 2026, at the Talabaan River Watershed.
Moreover, the activity brought together MSUN employees, who actively participated in planting tree seedlings to support the rehabilitation and protection of the watershed.
Through this initiative, the University emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges while promoting inclusive participation in sustainability efforts.
Furthermore, the collaboration with local partners highlights MSUN’s continued efforts to strengthen community ties and environmental responsibility.
Ultimately, the tree planting activity not only contributes to the preservation of natural resources but also raises awareness on the importance of safeguarding ecosystems for future generations.

05/03/2026

🧭Mapping knowledge for better watershed stewardship.

The Capacity Building Training on GIS-based Watershed Management and Environmental Analysis, a 32-hour training conducted from March 2–5, 2026, successfully brought together participants to strengthen their skills in spatial analysis, mapping, and geospatial technologies. Over four days of intensive learning, participants explored how Geographic Information Systems can support watershed management, environmental monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.

This training marked an important step in enhancing local technical capacity in applying GIS tools for sustainable environmental planning and disaster risk reduction.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the DRRMO of LGU Naawan, through the partnership and support of Sir Paul Cezzane Abrea, whose collaboration made this capacity-building initiative possible.

Special thanks are also given to the resource speaker from MSU–IIT, Sir Jaime Q. Guijawan, for accepting the challenge of sharing his expertise and guiding the participants through this meaningful learning experience.

Indeed, when maps meet purpose, communities move closer to a more resilient and sustainable future. 🌏📍

23/02/2026

Rain or shine, the commitment to environmental stewardship stood firm. 🌧️🌤️🌱

The GROW Talabaan Project successfully conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony of its Community-Based Nursery in Barangay Lubilan, Mati-i, and Mapulog — proving that dedication to watershed protection knows no weather condition.

Despite unpredictable skies, community members, partners, and stakeholders gathered with unwavering support to mark this meaningful milestone. The activity highlighted not only the launch of native tree propagation efforts but also the resilience and unity of the people behind the initiative.

The activity was further strengthened by the active participation of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) through Maam April Waga and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) through Sir Manny Maglangit of the Local Government Unit of Naawan, whose presence underscored the local government’s commitment to sustainable watershed management and community-based environmental programs.

Through collective action and determination, seeds were planted not just in the soil, but in the hearts of the community for a greener and more sustainable Talabaan River Watershed. 🌿

19/02/2026

The team expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to conduct a successful benchmarking visit at Kapunungan sa mga Gagmay ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC) in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The visit provided valuable insights into KGMC’s community-based mangrove nursery operations, including nursery establishment, seedling propagation techniques, species selection, site preparation, and community engagement strategies. It highlighted how coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood generation can be effectively integrated into a sustainable development model.

Special appreciation was extended to the legendary Ka Dodoy (Roberto Ballon) for the warm welcome, wisdom, and generous sharing of expertise. His leadership and dedication to environmental stewardship served as a strong source of inspiration.

The benchmarking activity further strengthened the team’s commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and community-driven development. They move forward better equipped, more motivated, and united in advancing their initiatives.

Maraming salamat, KGMC family. The team looks forward to future collaborations. 💚

18/02/2026

𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐘 | 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
On February 16, 2026, at the New Naawan Town Hall, the LGU Naawan, headed by Mayor Dennis L. Roa, and MSU–Naawan, led by Chancellor Elnor C. Roa, PhD, formally sealed a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony for the project “𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐃𝐑𝐀) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐍𝐚𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.”
This initiative forms part of Component 2 of the GROW Talabaan Project on Watershed Protection and Rehabilitation, aimed at strengthening science-based planning, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction to support the municipality’s LCCAP, CLUP, and LDRRM Plan.

07/01/2026

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇! WHAT A WAY TO START 2026! 💚 🍃

Congrats to Dr. Edgar Castañares, Mr. Garry C. Marapao, Mr. Dave Nathanael S. Lamoste, Dr. Nonillon M. Aspe (MSU Naawan), and Mr. Janny A. Sumilla (Davao del Sur State College) on their publication in the Journal of Environment and Aquatic Resources!

Their study, “Flora Diversity of the Talabaan River Watershed, Naawan, Misamis Oriental,” documented 101 plant species (35 endemic, 33 threatened), highlighting Mt. Malindawag as a local biodiversity hotspot. Critically endangered species like Yakal, Itom-itom, Kapa-kapa, and Palm were recorded, emphasizing the need for conservation amid increasing human pressures.

These findings provide key insights for sustainable management and biodiversity protection in the Talabaan River Watershed.

🔗 Full article: https://doi.org/10.48031/msunjear.2026.08.03

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𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓!

Congratulations to researchers Dr. Edgar Castañares, Mr. Garry C. Marapao, Mr. Dave Nathanael S. Lamoste, and Dr. Nonillon M. Aspe of Mindanao State University at Naawan, together with Mr. Janny A. Sumilla of Davao del Sur State College, on their recent publication in the 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬.

Their study, titled 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 highlights the ecological importance of the Talabaan River Watershed, which provides essential ecosystem services such as water for domestic and agricultural use and habitat for diverse flora. Remaining patches of secondary forest and wooded land continue to support a wide range of plant species but are increasingly threatened by deforestation and land conversion. To document the floral composition of the area, the researchers conducted field surveys using stratified sampling and transect walk methods.

A total of 101 plant species were recorded, representing 80 genera and 44 families across five sites along the Talabaan River. Moraceae was the most represented family, followed by Fabaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, and Lauraceae. The study documented 35 endemic species and identified 33 species classified as threatened. Species richness was found to vary with elevation, with higher values recorded in upland areas, particularly on Mt. Malindawag, and lower richness observed in lowland areas where anthropogenic activities are more prevalent. These patterns reveal an ecological integrity gradient shaped by topographic complexity and increasing human pressures.

The results further showed that Mt. Malindawag harbors the highest number of species, accounting for more than 70 percent of the total species recorded and confirming its status as a local biodiversity hotspot. Several plant species in this area were observed to belong to threatened categories, emphasizing the critical role of relatively undisturbed habitats in conserving plant diversity within the watershed.

The rapid assessment also identified critically endangered species such as Yakal (𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑎), Itom-itom (𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑦𝑟𝑜𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑎), Kapa-kapa (𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎), and Palm (𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑎). Endangered species included Pitcher Plant (𝑁𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠), Palm (𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑎), and Giant Tree Fern (𝑆𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑎), along with several vulnerable species listed under DAO 2017-11, including Almaciga (𝐴𝑔𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠), White Lauan (𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎), Red Lauan (𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠), Ulayan (𝐿𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑝𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠), Malak-malak (𝑃𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒), and Guijo (𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑠𝑜).

Overall, the study provides valuable baseline information on species composition, distribution, and conservation status in the Talabaan River Watershed. These findings will support the Naawan Talabaan River Watershed Management Council in formulating effective conservation and management strategies and underscore the need for coordinated efforts among local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations.

Once again, congratulations to the researchers for this significant contribution to biodiversity research and the conservation of the Talabaan River Watershed.

Access the full article here: https://doi.org/10.48031/msunjear.2026.08.03

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30/10/2025

🌿✨ A Milestone for the GROW Talabaan Project! ✨🌿

We are proud to have successfully presented our project poster at SINAG 2025 — a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and community-driven research. 🌎💧

This milestone highlights our ongoing commitment to empower local communities and promote sustainable coastal growth through science and collaboration. 🌱💪

Grateful for the support, inspiration, and recognition we’ve received along this journey. Here’s to growing more together! 💚

31/08/2025

08/07/2025

With grateful hearts, we celebrate a milestone rooted in purpose and sustainability. On July 5, 2025, the MSU Naawan Foundation for Science and Technology Development, Inc. launched its first-ever bamboo growing initiative at the majestic Mt. Malindawag in Naawan, Misamis Oriental — a meaningful endeavor held in collaboration with the GROW Talabaan Project Phase 2, implemented by MSU at Naawan.

This initiative marks a powerful step towards reforestation and environmental stewardship, made even more special as part of our 33rd Founding Anniversary. 💚

To everyone who planted hope with us — thank you for standing with the earth, for believing in the future, and for growing with us. 🌱

21/06/2025

One foggy morning at Mt. Malindawag 🌫️🍀

11/06/2025

🌱 Thousand Seedlings Strong! 🌱

Seedlings have been successfully nurtured by KATRIBU at the nursery above Lubilan Falls, and more are currently being grown at the Mt. Malindawag nursery site!

Together, we grow a greener future. 🌳💚