CALAUAN, Laguna (PIA) -- In celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Calabarzon regional office spearheaded a wildlife exposure trip with youth organizations in a bid to improve the knowledge of the youth in nature conservation efforts.

DENR provided short lectures regarding the status of forest cover in the Calabarzon region and the existing wildlife conservation and protection efforts being done by the department, demonstrated proper procedures if they encounter a wildlife species, and were introduced to the indigenous and fruit-bearing seedlings they cultivate in the center.

DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria emphasized the various threats being encountered by wildlife, including the alarming issue of online illegal wildlife trade and encouraged the youth participants to serve as force multipliers in raising awareness in the digital age.

“I know your generation has the greatest platform to express and advance our advocacy for nature... I challenge you to use what you have learned [today] in your everyday life, share it with others, and allow yourself to be the environmental champions in your community” Tamoria said.

Tamoria believes that by using social media and digital platforms, young individuals have a powerful tool to advocate for wildlife conservation.

Some of the youth organizations tapped for the trip include Club for UNESCO-UPLB, Ugnayang Kalikasan, and organizations affiliated with Youth Development Affairs Laguna, such as Gawad Laguna Incorporated and Angat Kabataan, Angat Kalikasan.

Angat Kabataan, Angat Kalikasan president Chrizell Trillana sees the importance of the initiative, and said that the exposure trip provided her with the opportunity to learn more about the diverse species of flora and fauna present in the region.

She also mentioned that the trip had helped her develop a deeper appreciation for nature and a better understanding of the importance of conservation efforts.

“I am very grateful that there is this type of program or initiative to inform the importance of Wildlife Animals especially to us, youth. It was a fun exposure trip where we got to see and touch other wildlife animals that were rescued from different parts of Calabarzon. We also got to know the different types of wildlife animals better, so I thank the DENR Calabarzon for a fun and meaningful exposure trip,” she said.

Trillana pledged to support conservation programs and committed herself on behalf of her organization to be an advocate for environmental protection and sustainability in her community and beyond.

She adds: "To the DENR, we will continue to stand with you for our nature, together with my organization so that our nature will be more appreciated and cared for and we continue on our advocacy for the benefit of our community." (AM/PIA-4A; with reports from DENR CALABARZON)