Last September 28, 2024, at the Busol Watershed area students and nonteaching personnel from the University of Baguio came together to join the Research Innovation Extension and Community Outreach (RIECO) in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, to fulfill their duty to Mother Earth which is the Project GR.O.OM M.E. which stands for: Greening, Optimizing, Orchestrate, Magnifying, Mother Earth.
One of the main reasons why tree planting and weeding projects are important is their impact on climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to reduce the greenhouse effect that leads to global warming. By planting trees, we can mitigate climate change and create a healthier environment for future generations.
Students from the Student Body Organization, Supreme Student Council, the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) scholars and Palawan Group of Companies scholars along with the nonteaching personnel came to fulfill the role of fighting climate change and helping Palawan Group of Companies achieve their goal of planting One Million trees.
Despite the cold and foggy weather, the event was a success. 500 seedlings from PGC, 150 seedlings from Baguio Water District (BAWADI), and 150 seedlings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were planted, totaling 800 seedlings.
In these projects, we combat climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 15: Life on Land; 13: Climate Action as urbanization grows the fight to have a place for trees becomes a challenge; 4: Quality Education as we spread the knowledge on how to plant, protect, and care for our environment, and 3: Good Health and Well-Being Production as being connected to nature is considered therapeutic according to research by the Mental Health Foundation.
The goal of Project GR.O.O.M. M.E. to have a better home for future generations stays strong as the University will continue programs as such to create a better environment for the present and future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Photographs Taken by RIECO & Linkages Office
