Participants of the International Ecology School (IES) 2026 visited the Makiling Botanic Gardens and Flat Rocks at the Mariang Makiling Trail on 17 July 2026 for a guided tour and hike hosted by the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
The activity gathered young scientists and students from China, Mongolia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam for an outdoor learning experience that showcased the rich biodiversity and ecological importance of the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR). Along the trail, participants learned about the native and endemic plant species, forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and the role of MMFR as a protected area for research, education, and nature conservation.
The guided tour and hike were facilitated by the Educators for Nature Tourism (ENTs), Glenn Villaret, Chris Jay Ramos, and Sealthiel Mortel, together with For. Angela Limpiada, with the assistance of interns from Partido State University (PARSU), Angeline Endico Royol Jr., Ralph Aram B. Catangui, and Monel Cagayan Sueno, and from Cavite State University (CvSU), Isaiah Gray S. Fernandez, and Vennice Ann L. Percil. The activity provided participants with a meaningful opportunity to appreciate Philippine forest ecosystems while promoting international collaboration and environmental stewardship. (Article and photo by Forester Angela Limpiada)