VSU Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗡-𝗦𝗗𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼-𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

Stakeholders from various regional and provincial offices gathered at the DFS Training Room on May 14, 2026, for the CITIZEN-SDSS Regional Co-Design Workshop entitled, “Using Citizen Science Approaches and Spatial Decision Support Systems to Foster Nature-based Solutions to Sustain and Expand the Remaining Forest Landscapes of the Philippines.”

The activity formally opened with welcome remarks from Dr. Hernando L. Mondal, followed by workshop sessions facilitated by Mr. Prince Asare and Dr. Renezita S. Come. Participants engaged in collaborative discussions and workshops focusing on ecosystem services, land degradation, drivers of land use change, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) interventions for sustainable landscape management.

Through scenario-building and backcasting exercises facilitated by For. Samuel O. Bernaldez Jr. and Engr. Martin Jan E. Mercurio stakeholders co-developed conservation-oriented, production-oriented, and hybrid future land use scenarios aimed at shaping resilient and sustainable regional landscapes by 2045.

The workshop highlighted the significance of participatory planning, science-based decision-making, and multi-sectoral collaboration in sustaining and expanding the remaining forest landscapes of the Philippines.

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬

The Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science (FFES) successfully hosted a lecture on integrating geospatial multi-criteria analysis and stakeholder perspectives in spatial decision support systems for forestry applications at the DFS Training Room.

Delivered by 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐌𝐒𝐜. of the Thünen Institute, the lecture highlighted the importance of geospatial technologies and participatory approaches in advancing sustainable forest management and environmental decision-making.

Students, faculty, and researchers participated in the activity, which served as a venue for academic discussion, knowledge exchange, and deeper appreciation of spatial analysis applications in forestry and environmental science. 🌍🌲

Pre-register now to secure your spot for this lecture!
👉 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeQ1G-4yQiWNorZEe-MLFQM4TU011BwGydKheEtwZ2SGbStQ/viewform

Limited slots available—see you there!!🌱🌱

👀 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘! 👀

The Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science, in partnership with Project Citizen SDSS and Thünen Insitute in Hamburg, Germany, warmly invites everyone to an informative talk session titled:

"𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞-𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢: 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮."

Speaker:
PRINCE ADJEI ASARE
Researcher, Thünen Institute
PhD Candidate, University of Goettingen

📅 Date & Time: May 13, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Venue: DFS Training Room

Join us as we explore innovative approaches in forestry decision-making, combining geospatial tools and stakeholder insights to create sustainable solutions for our environment. 🌍🌱

👀 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘! 👀

The Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science, in partnership with Project Citizen SDSS and Thünen Insitute in Hamburg, Germany, warmly invites everyone to an informative talk session titled:

"𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞-𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢: 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮."

Speaker:
PRINCE ADJEI ASARE
Researcher, Thünen Institute
PhD Candidate, University of Goettingen

📅 Date & Time: May 13, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Venue: DFS Training Room

Join us as we explore innovative approaches in forestry decision-making, combining geospatial tools and stakeholder insights to create sustainable solutions for our environment. 🌍🌱

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆 | 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 22

The VSU Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science (FFES) proudly joins the world in celebrating International Earth Day! 🌎

As stewards of the environment, our faculty and students dedicate every lesson, research, and fieldwork to Mother Earth— for the safe spaces she provides to all species, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the breathtaking sceneries we witness each day.

From the lush forests to the serene waters, nature reminds us of our shared responsibility. And at Villa Solidaridad's Sea of Clouds (Baybay City, Leyte), where the biosphere meets the atmosphere, we are inspired to protect this delicate balance, because Earth is not just our home, it is our life. 🌱💧🌤️

Let us continue to nurture and safeguard our planet, today and every day. 💚

Photo Credits | Definitely Pinoy

IN PHOTOS | Day 3 - Trail Hike to the foothills of Mt. Pangasugan 🏔️⛳️

In celebration of its 39th Anniversary, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), proudly partnered with the Visayas State University - Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science (FFES) to host a three-day series of activities dedicated to biodiversity and conservation awareness.

The final day brought participants to the foothills of Mt. Pangasugan for a trail-based plant photography and identification session. The orientation was led by mountaineer Sir Jay Calipayon Gumba and forest rangers from DFS Forest Conservation Unit, who provided safety guidelines and shared his expertise on the mountain's biodiversity. 🥾

As the group hiked through the trails, dozens of unique flowering species were spotted. Each stop became an opportunity for Dr. Pelser and Dr. Barcelona to provide scientific explanations and descriptions of the plants encountered. Faculty and staff from the Department of Forest Science, Department of Biological Sciences, and the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Science joined the exploration, making it a collaborative effort in documenting and appreciating the richness of Mt. Pangasugan's flora. 🌱☀️

IN PHOTOS | Day 1 - Courtesy Call and Plant Photography 📸🌱

In celebration of its 39th Anniversary, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), proudly partnered with the Visayas State University - Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science (FFES) to host a three-day series of activities dedicated to biodiversity and conservation awareness.

🗓️ The three-day event opened with a short briefing at the FFES Conference Room with the distinguished guests from the Philippine Eagle Foundation: Dr. Pieter Pelser, Dr. Julie Barcelona, and For. Guiller Opiso. The briefing was led by the faculty dean, Dr. Renezita S. Come.

A courtesy call to VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes followed, where meaningful conversations on strengthening partnerships for conservation took place. The day then transitioned into hands-on plant photography and identification sessions at the DFS Arboretum and concluded with a visit to the Biodiversity Research Center. MS and BS students from Forestry, Environmental Science, and Biology actively participated, learning techniques in botanical documentation and engaging in discussions with the experts. 🌳

🍃

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | 𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐘 2026–2030

The 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐒) conducted its 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 2026-2030 on March 25, 2026, through a hybrid arrangement at the FFES Conference Room and via Zoom. Spearheaded by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐳𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐒. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, the workshop brought together department heads, key personnel, and student leaders from FFES-SSC, AVESS, and FSS.

The program opened with Dr. Come presenting an overview of the strategic planning workshop, setting the tone and direction for the day’s discussions. This was followed by a review of the faculty’s performance and accomplishments for 2024–2025, delivered by the 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐁. 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐬.

Departmental presentations on plans, priorities, and strategic concerns were led by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐋. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥, 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 of the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐃𝐅𝐒); 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐮 𝐀. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 of the 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐒): and 𝐃𝐫. 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨, 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 of the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐃𝐄𝐒) from VSU-Alang-alang Campus. Representing ITEES divisions, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐂. 𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐬 presented on behalf of the 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐓𝐄𝐃), while 𝐌𝐫. 𝐊𝐢𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂. 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨 represented on behalf of the 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐀𝐄𝐃).

Student representation was equally strong, with officers from the student council and organizations: 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐂. 𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐨 (𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 – 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭), 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐏. 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐥 (𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 – 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭), and 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐁. 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 (𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 – 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭).

Key activities included a SWOT analysis, identification of strategic priorities, and the formulation of action plans for 2026–2030. Discussions highlighted FFES’s strategic directions aligned with Visayas State University’s vision of becoming a Global Green University, focusing on climate-responsive initiatives such as forest carbon accounting, Rainforestation, and the adoption of digital tools (GIS, drones, and AI), alongside strengthening financial sustainability, research, extension, and governance systems.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to a more strategic, collaborative, and environmentally responsive future for FFES—anchored on institutional strengthening and stewardship.

𝓟𝓪𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓸𝓷, 𝓕𝓕𝓔𝓢!

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 Flora — Going LIVE! 🌿

Calling all botany enthusiasts! If you wish to join the lecture but cannot attend in person, we've got you covered! The session will be broadcast LIVE via Zoom and Facebook so you won't miss out on the exciting discussions.

📌 ZOOM (You may scan the QR Code)
Meeting ID: 953 2525 1943
Passcode: 838242

📌 FACEBOOK
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/vsu.ffes.official

Seats are still available at the venue! Reserve yours now before slots run out:
🔗 [https://forms.gle/cxr6GAgPeQTEfVtc7]

See you all this April 7!

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁? 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂! 🌿

In celebration of its 39th Anniversary, the Philippine Eagle Foundation proudly collaborates with the VSU Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science (FFES), and we are inviting YOU and all other botany enjoyers out there, to a special lecture session titled,

"𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮"
📅 April 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 NN
📍 FFES Audio-Visual Room

Discover and unravel diverse discussions on Philippine flora, including the rare rainforest giants — the Philippine Rafflesia! 🌺

Seats are limited to 160 participants, so be sure to reserve your spot through the registration link.

🔗 [https://forms.gle/cxr6GAgPeQTEfVtc7]
🔗 [https://forms.gle/cxr6GAgPeQTEfVtc7]
🔗 [https://forms.gle/cxr6GAgPeQTEfVtc7]

Don't miss the chance to unravel the wonders of our country's botanical treasures! ✨