Northwestern University Ecological Park and Botanic Gardens

14/06/2026

It's the shift towards the Rainy Season at the NUEBG. According to forecast, Luzon will experience a wetter climate while the lower part of the country may experience less precipitation.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DpgDQ8Yij/

International climate outlooks predict that a moderate El Niño is likely to develop during June to August 2026, according to the consensus bulletin. Most models predict a continued strengthening into a strong to very strong El Niño for the remainder of the year.

Even if a very strong El Niño occurs, it does not necessarily indicate more severe impacts on Southeast Asia’s climate. Instead, the typical effects associated with El Niño in Southeast Asia (hotter-than-normal temperatures, drier conditions, less tropical cyclones) are likely to occur.

🌧️ The 2026 Southwest Monsoon is expected to begin around its usual time across most of the region, except in Viet Nam and Lao PDR, where a later start is expected. The monsoon is forecast to be average or stronger than average across much of Southeast Asia.

🌀 Fewer than usual to near-normal occurrence of tropical cyclones are expected across the region.

💧 Below-normal rainfall is likely in the southern Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore. Rainfall across mainland Southeast Asia is expected to vary, ranging from below to above normal.

🌡️ Most parts of Southeast Asia are expected to be hotter than normal. Northern Viet Nam and northern, southern, and coastal Myanmar are likely to experience near- to above-normal temperatures.

Explore what the season may look like in your country: https://bit.ly/3PV2TFz

11/06/2026

The Blooms for the Philippine Independence Day. June 12, 2026.

10/06/2026

Amorphophallus merrillii in bloom.

03/06/2026

Cycas riuminiana (Ilocos Norte) and Cycas sp. (Imalawa) female trees with their emerging seedcrowns.

The NUEBG holds more than 20 species of Cycads, and representative natural populations of Philippine Cycads.

31/05/2026

Podocarpus glaucus Foxw. 1907.
A seed bearing specimen from Mindanao. NUEBG Ex situ Collection.

26/05/2026

NUEBG joined the National Summit for Botanic Gardens and Arboreta 2026 held at the Acasia Hotel in Alabang Muntinlupa.

📰 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑-𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐁 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴, 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗹𝘂𝗽𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB) officially opened the National Summit on Botanic Gardens and Arboreta (NSBGA) 2026 on May 26 at Acacia Hotel Manila and via Zoom, convening experts and stakeholders to advance biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

Anchored on the theme, “Cultivating Resilience: Botanical Gardens and Arboreta for Biodiversity, Climate, and Community,” the three-day summit gathers researchers, conservation practitioners, academic institutions, and environmental stakeholders from the Philippines and abroad to strengthen the role of botanic gardens and arboreta in biodiversity conservation, climate action, and sustainable development.

In his video message, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna underscored the urgency of collective action.

“At a time of intensifying climate threats, this summit places plant life at the center of resilience-building and sustainable development. The Philippines is home to plant species found nowhere else on Earth, and their survival depends on the decisions and actions we make today,” he said.

The summit aims to highlight practical experiences and lessons in developing and managing botanic gardens and arboreta across the country, promote public awareness on sustainability and conservation, strengthen institutional collaboration, and generate policy recommendations aligned with national priorities and global environmental commitments, contributing to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP).

In her opening message, ERDB Director Lormelyn E. Claudio emphasized the expanding role of these green spaces.

“Botanic gardens and arboreta are more than repositories of living plant collections. They are dynamic living laboratories for scientific research, conservation, education, and public engagement that bridge biodiversity conservation with human well-being and sustainable development,” she said.

Claudio added that DENR-ERDB recognizes the need for a unified and strategic approach to address gaps in policy standards, coordination, documentation, and institutional collaboration nationwide.

Messages of support were also delivered by Dir. Elenida D.R. Basug of the DENR Climate Change Service, Assistant Secretary Lilian M. De Leon of the DILG Philippines, and Assistant Secretary Mylene A. Rivera, EnP of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Also present were former ERDB Directors Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc and Dr. Sofio B. Quintana, along with ERDB Assistant Director For. Conrado B. Marquez.

Distinguished local and international experts delivered plenary talks on ex-situ conservation, regional cooperation, climate resilience, governance frameworks, and the strategic role of botanic gardens in addressing biodiversity loss. Speakers represented organizations working on botanic gardens and arboreta: Botanic Gardens Conservation International - BGCI, 국립수목원(Korea National Arboretum), Asian Forest Cooperation Organization, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, and the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau.

Technical posters from participating researchers were also showcased, presenting studies from various parts of the country.

The summit features research presentations and technical sessions on plant conservation, biodiversity assessment, environmental education, arboretum management, and nature-based climate solutions. A workshop aims to produce actionable recommendations and a summit declaration to guide future policy and institutional efforts to strengthen the country’s network of botanic gardens and arboreta.

The event will culminate in an educational tour of the Los Baños Experiment Station and Makiling Botanical Garden, Los Banos, providing participants with firsthand exposure to ongoing conservation, research, and biodiversity education initiatives.

Through NSBGA 2026, DENR-ERDB fortifies its commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing science-based solutions that position botanic gardens and arboreta as vital living laboratories for the country’s biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and community empowerment.

, TTD

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22/05/2026

Happy International Day for Biological Diversity!

Featured here is Amorphophallus merrillii, a remarkable Philippine endemic species recognized as a Plant Species with Extremely Small Population (PSESP). Its rarity highlights the urgent need for strengthened conservation initiatives and long-term biodiversity protection in the country.

The Northwestern University Ecological Park and Botanic Gardens (NUEBG) continues to play a vital role in safeguarding local plant diversity through ex situ conservation, serving as an important refuge and backup population for threatened species in the wild. Beyond conservation, NUEBG remains committed to the documentation, scientific understanding, propagation, and preservation of the unique Philippine flora—ensuring that these invaluable botanical treasures will continue to thrive for future generations.

21/05/2026

Trichoglottis agusanensis Ames & Quisumb.
'Ilocos Form'

19/05/2026

The sound of nature at the NUEBG Arboretum.

17/05/2026

Paraphlomis aristata Tandang, Calaramo, & Bucay 2026.
IUCN Critically Endangered plant of Ilocos Norte

Philippines: Island of Luzon, Province of Ilocos Norte, Kalbario Patapat Natural Park