Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines

Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines
Name	Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines
Formation	1984
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Philippines
Region served	Philippines
Language	Filipino, English

Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines is a Philippine-based professional and scientific organization dedicated to the study, conservation, and sustainable management of the archipelago's flora and fauna. It connects researchers, educators, policy-makers, and practitioners to address biodiversity loss across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through field studies, publications, and advocacy. The Society has contributed to national and regional assessments influencing policy instruments and conservation planning.

History

The Society was founded in the mid-1980s in response to rising concerns about habitat loss in the Philippines driven by activities affecting the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, and other key sites such as the Sierra Madre (Philippines), Mount Apo, and Mount Kitanglad. Early members included scientists associated with institutions like the University of the Philippines, the National Museum of the Philippines, and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. The Society held biennial meetings linked to regional gatherings attended by delegates from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, BirdLife International, and conservation NGOs active around Palawan, Mindoro, and Leyte. Over time the organization participated in national consultative processes related to the National Integrated Protected Areas System, the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, and discussions tied to the Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations. Its history intersects with campaigns to protect species such as the Philippine eagle, the tamaraw, and the Visayan warty pig.

Mission and Objectives

The Society's mission emphasizes scientific research, capacity building, and policy influence to conserve the Philippines' endemic species and ecosystems including mangroves, coral reefs, and montane forests. Objectives include promoting systematic studies similar to those by the Philippine Journals of Science contributors, facilitating inventories comparable to surveys in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, and advising government bodies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and education agencies like the Commission on Higher Education on biodiversity curricula. It aims to bridge practitioners from field stations like PENRO offices and research units at Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.

Organizational Structure

The Society is governed by an elected Board of Trustees with committees modeled after structures used at research institutions like the International Union for Conservation of Nature and professional societies such as the Ecological Society of America. Offices include a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and convenors for thematic working groups on taxonomy, marine conservation, and agroecology. Regional chapters operate in hubs including Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, coordinating with local stakeholders such as provincial governments in Palawan (province), Cebu, and Davao City. Collaborative links extend to museums like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and universities including University of San Carlos for specimen-based research and curation.

Programs and Activities

Programs encompass field surveys, community-based conservation, capacity-building workshops, and policy fora. Fieldwork often targets hotspots referenced in global assessments by the IUCN Red List, and projects have been implemented in islands such as Samar, Negros Island, and Palawan. Training workshops draw participants from agencies like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and non-governmental organizations such as Conservation International and WWF-Philippines. Public engagement includes outreach in partnership with media outlets covering environmental stories from Manila Bay to the Coron (Busuanga) archipelago and citizen science initiatives patterned after programs run by the Haribon Foundation.

Research and Publications

The Society publishes proceedings, technical reports, and peer-reviewed articles that contribute to knowledge on endemism, species distribution, and conservation biology in the Philippines. Its outputs complement work appearing in journals like the Philippine Science Letters and contributions to compilations used by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Research themes include mangrove restoration studies comparable to projects in Zamboanga Peninsula, assessments of coral reef resilience relevant to Tubbataha Reefs, and taxonomic revisions that reference collections at the National Museum of Natural History (Philippines). The Society maintains a newsletter and bibliography used by practitioners at institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and international partners like the Smithsonian Institution.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Partnerships span local and international organizations: provincial conservation offices, academic departments at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, international NGOs including NatureServe and BirdLife International, and multilateral entities such as the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat and the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Collaborative projects have involved funding and technical cooperation from donors like the Global Environment Facility, partnerships with research centers including the Marine Science Institute (University of the Philippines), and joint initiatives with community groups in municipalities such as El Nido and Siargao.

Impact and Recognition

The Society's work has informed protected area proclamations, species listings under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147), and management plans for areas like the Apo Reef Natural Park. Members have received awards and recognition from government agencies and conservation coalitions, and the Society's data have been cited in national biodiversity assessments and global compilations used by organizations including the IUCN and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Its influence persists in training generations of conservation biologists who now work in universities, agencies, and NGOs across the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region.

Category:Environmental organizations based in the Philippines