On 03 December 2025, students from the Penology and Corrections Administration at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna, visited the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG). They were oriented by Foresters Angela Limpiada and Alexis Fajardo, who provided information about the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) as well as the Makiling Botanic Gardens. The briefing covered the history of the reserve and the garden, emphasizing their rich and unique biodiversity as well as their important contributions to biodiversity conservation.
The MBG served as an excellent venue for enhancing the students’ appreciation and understanding of ecology. They were guided through each themed garden, where they discussed various native and endemic flora, the ecological significance of these plants, and conservation strategies aimed at the sustainable management of our natural resources. Overall, this visit enhanced their understanding of the theoretical course through hands-on observation. (Article by For. Alexis John Fajardo and photo courtesy of AALimpiada)