Restorative Mangrove Reforestation and Ecotourism Project: Sustaining Excellence in Governance of Extension Delivery Practices

Elaine P. dela Cruz Chair, Office of the Extension and Community Services Rinse M. Remetio Project-in-Charge Danilo E. Abayon Executive Director Aklan State University, College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, New Washington, Aklan, Philippines

ABSTRACT
In 1997, an initiative named Isla Kapispisan Reforestation project was implemented by the Aklan State University, College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences in collaboration with the local government unit of New Washington, Aklan, Philippines and other cooperating agencies. The experiences gained in implementing the project provided valuable lessons on excellence in governance of extension delivery practices in a state university. The project converted an abandoned 32-ha fishpond into a model people-led and multi-sector supported mangrove reforestation, aquasilviculture and ecotourism site which will serve also as a convergence demo-learning area for the fishery sectors efforts to re-create a wholesome coastal resource environment. The intervention for development of Isla Kapispisan was laden with various approaches and strategies which included: crafting a shared vision, charting the intervention, mobilizing people and enhancing participation, partnership and collaboration, massive mangrove planting, organizing fisherfolks, training for responsible fishing, outsourcing, research and technology information diffusion and modeling, environment education and advocacy through ecotourism; and productivity enhancement. Lessons learned from project management are: A catalyst like the Isla Kapispisan model reinforces transfer of technology and delivery of services; participation in project activities enhances beneficiaries commitment; outsourcing is facilitated when funding groups see more beneficiaries get greater benefits; fisherfolks adopt fish production technology faster as they experience it in the model; research data substantiate Isla Kapispisans development milestones when written; Isla Kapispisan is a good promotion model for people to conserve and protect the environment; tourists are gaining interest on mangrove forests as alternative ecotourism attraction; biodiversity is essential in mangrove reforestation and stock enhancement; marine habitat is gradually restored side by side with growth of mangroves; and man-intervened mangrove reforestation has potential for production of commercial fishes.

INTRODUCTION
The brunt in the changes of climatic patterns in the fishing areas in Isla Kapispisan, Pinamuk-an, New Washington, Aklan, Philippines led to abandonment of a 32-ha fishpond. For many years this area E S D i n T V E T 2 0 1 0 |1

became denuded, heavily exploited fishing ground until it came to a point that even seaweeds previously prevalent in the place disappeared notwithstanding the ill effects to other marine species. In 1997, an ocular survey was done for the purpose of crafting a restorative and rehabilitation strategies for the place. A collaborative project between Aklan State University College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and the Local Government Unit of New Washington was forged through a memorandum of agreement in 1999. The aim of the project was to convert the 32 ha abandoned fishpond into a model people-led and multisector supported mangrove reforestation, aquasilviculture and ecotourism site. To serve as a convergence demo-learning advocacy site for the agri-fishery-ecotourism sectors efforts to re-create a wholesome coastal resource environment. It also became the Colleges laboratory site to support its functions on instruction, research, extension and production. After more than eight years of restorative activities, a natural habitat was re-created in the area. Mangroves served as shelter for the returning aquatic and marine species of fishes, crustaceans and mollusks. In 2008, Typhoon Frank which heavily devastated Aklan province confirmed the remarkable benefits of the presence of mangroves in the Isla Kapispisan project and the nearby areas. Mangroves shielded and protected fishponds from the wrought of typhoon Frank.

OBJECTIVES
1. To model a man-intervened ecotourism site resulting from mangrove reforestation. 2. To motivate multi-sector support and people-led rehabilitation program for the coastal environment. 3. To serve as convergence demo-learning and advocacy site for environmental protection and conservation. 4. To inculcate the values of responsible fishing and good practices for a sustainable habitat of fisherfolks. 5. To provide a venue for environmental education, research and community services.

METHODOLOGY
The Isla Kapispisan interventions opened up a case study of various combinations of extension delivery approaches and practices which were contributory to restorative environmental programs. It also opened up avenues for extracting data on the coping mechanism of fisherfolks on the changing climatic patterns e.g. fishing practices, use of mangrove windbreaks, fuel/water needs. Package of adaptation technologies (PAT) and delivery approaches and practices had to be blended with local socio-cultural-physical structures and systems as it relates to climate change like the use of floating mangrove nurseries, aquaculture scheme, planting time for mangroves, responsible fishing.

Project Approaches
Partnership and collaboration. Aklan State University College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and the Local Government Unit of New Washington, Aklan committed to bring back the mangrove found in Isla Kapispisan in the old days. Project activities started in 1997 and various concerned groups requested that the area be protected through legitimate policy. This led to the place being declared fish sanctuary and

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seaweeds conservation site in 1998. The Universitys management team was assigned to spearhead the

intervention until such time that fisherfolks can lead the activities.
Shared vision: The students, faculty, other school personnel, parents, fisherfolk beneficiaries, government agencies, non-government organizations crafted a shared vision through various consultations. The vision is to establish a model people-managed and multi-sector supported mangrove reforestation, aquasilviculture and ecotourism site. Charting the intervention. The beneficiaries, the management team, and other stakeholders were involved in the planning. Activities were crafted with the object of establishing demo-learning area for the agri-fishery-ecotourism; to reforest the Isla; to re-create the biodiversity e.g. the mangroves the fishes and other living organisms in the place; and to set up laboratory site for instruction, research, extension and production programs of the University. Mobilizing peoples participation. Mass collection of various species of mangrove seedling was through the students and parents, faculty and staff and the communitys participation in a Miss CPMCR, (Conservation, Protection and Management of Coastal Resource), by which canvassing of votes was via the seedlings submitted. Since then there was yearly collection of seed stocks used for planting and replanting. Floating mangrove nursery. Due to the need for mangrove seedlings all throughout the year, a floating mangrove nursery made of bamboo, was tried. This was located in the middle of the Isla to afford easy access to the different areas of reforestation site. The nursery can grow and harden at least a thousand seedlings at a time. Massive mangrove planting. The students, faculty, employees, parents, the NGOs, civic organization, the Rotary, alumni, the LGU, government institutions participated in massive mangrove planting. Student organizations institutionalized an annual mangrove planting program. Organizing fisher folks. The fisher folks were organized into Isla Kapispisan Fisherfolks Association. These were the original 12 households who choose to live in the project site. Training of fisher folks. The fisherfolks were given trainings on responsible fishing to empower them on protecting the project from poachers. Outsourcing. Various sectors extended financial assistance; collaborations were instituted to augment construction of amenities in the project site e.g. the staff house, cat walk, huts and other needs. The project received donations and assistance from various sectors. Funds and assistance to the project kept coming when the mangroves planted were observed vigorously growing in the place. Research and technology information diffusion. A natural fish farm of commercial fin fishes was studied in 2006 to 2007, using a one-hectare mangrovetum consisting of six plots surrounded with canals and net pen. This is just a portion of the 32.3 ha reforestation area. Initial harvest was obtained which proved that the area is now capable of production, although its capacity has to be further determined. An international research collaboration with the University of Tokyo was entered into on the study of restocking of tiger prawn in the area. Environment education advocacy through tourism. The tourists who had been to the place became the advocates for environmental consciousness. The expanse of development was impressive that it has become the word of mouth or accessed in the internet. E S D i n T V E T 2 0 1 0 |3

Productivity enhancement. After more than eight years, a natural habitat was re-created in the isla. Research was done to ascertain potentials for productivity of the mangrove area given its present status. There was also a re-stocking made to enhance faster population growth of native species. Aquaculture of commercial fin fishes was tried. It was observed that red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus), sea bass (Lates calcarifer), milkfish (Chanos chanos), cavalla (Caranx spp.) and siganid (Siganus spp.) can be produced in the area. Sustainability of the intervention. The members of the Isla Kapispisan Fisherfolks Association crafted their own commitment to protect the site. The University has institutionalized an annual mangrove planting program wherein all graduating students are required to plant 25 seedlings during the month of February or March before the scheduled graduation date. Various interest groups are also provided area for tree planting based on the site development program. As an initiative to legitimize the development work at Isla Kapispisan the Sungguniang Bayan of New Washington, Aklan declared the area as fish sanctuary and seaweeds conservation site in 1998.

RESULTS OF THE INTERVENTION

Reforestation. The various sectors who participated in reforestation activities were estimated to have planted more than 300,000 mangroves seedlings of different species in approximately 16 hectares of the 32-hectare project. Dead seedlings were replanted. The mangrove trees were about 16 ft tall at present. A technology on the use of floating mangrove nursery was tried. Mangrovetum of about one hectare planted with different species served as demo area. All the fisherfolks also planted mangroves around their floating houses. Aquasilviculture. Productive capacity for aquaculture was tried using six fish cages and one unit lift net installed in the site. A net pen which enclosed the one-hectare mangrovetum to support natural growing of fishes was made as observation area. More species of fishes, mollusks and crustaceans were observed in the culture pen. Ecotourism. Isla Kapispisan is evolving as an alternative ecotourism attraction. Amenities for ecotourism such as staff houses, watch tower and catwalk facilitated access of tourists. These were donated by people who commit to the advocacy of restoring and protecting the environment. Ecotourism was observed as a potent force to educate people on environmental conservation, protection and sustainability. In the Isla, the activities of tourists are constantly being upgraded to become more pleasurable e.g. non-extractive fishing, and bird watching. People-led. The beneficiaries took consciously their role in the implementation and sustenance of the project. In similar way, the Isla Kapispisan Fisherfolks Association became a potent force to project maintenance and advocacy. The trained fisherfolks advocated responsible fishing. They are always at watch of any violations made by intruders of the Isla. Multi-sector support. Advocacy on good practices for coastal resource management became a passion of project implementers. Linkages such as with the LGU, Rotary Club, SUCs, Alumni, PTCA, GOs, and NGOs served as catalyst and drivers of change. Financial requirements for project implementation were sourced from these sectors. The tourists who were pleased with these developments in the Isla expressed their appreciation even in the web.

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IMPLICATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED

The combinations of approaches used to implement the project and the many years of experience in handling the development process gave the following implications and lessons learned. Biodiversity was essential in mangrove reforestation and stock enhancement. Marine habitat was gradually restored side by side with growth of mangroves Tourists are gaining interest on mangrove forests as alternative tourist destination. Isla Kapispisan is a good promotion model for people to conserve and protect the environment. Local, national and international linkages are supportive of mangrove reforestation projects. A catalyst like the Isla Kapispisan model reinforces transfer of technology and delivery of services. Fisher folks adopt fish production technology faster as they experience it in the model. Participation in project activities enhances beneficiaries commitment. Research data is important as the history of Isla Kapispisans milestones is written. Outsourcing is facilitated when funding groups see more beneficiaries get greater benefits. Man-intervened mangrove reforestation has potential for aquaculture. Award for excellence in governance, First Place Best Public Sector Project 2009 by NEDA Region 6, and being one of the Commission on Higher Educations (CHED) Outstanding Extension Project 2010 made this initiative more credible and worthy.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations were identified to set a road map for future directions: Reforestation and other support work should be continued to cover the 32 hectares. Intensify tree planting activities for students, the community and other stakeholders. Ascertain biodiversity and carrying capacity of the area. More infrastructures such as ecolodge, adventure facilities and the like. Maximize fisherfolks participation to tourism promotion. Manage a website for the Islas environmental advocacy. Publish IEC materials about Islas milestones and edge as an ecotourism package. Institutionalize instruction, research, extension and production programs for the Isla. Infuse more funds and encourage more private sector initiatives. Initiate alternative livelihood and additional sources of income for fisherfolks. Legitimize the governance policy for ecotourism management of the Isla. Strengthen collaboration with local government units and other tourism agencies

REFERENCES
Remetio, R.M., E. Dela Cruz, D. Abayon and E. Andrade. 2009. Mangrove Reforestation: bringing back the hope and pride of a coastal community. Philippine Agroforestry Development MONITOR. UPLB, Laguna, Philippines. Ochavo, Z. A., R. R de Jose, E. B. Pastrana, R. L. Fos. 2009. Assessment of mangrove-associated mollusks, fish and crustacean species in reforested area at Isla Kapispisan. Aklan State University, New Washington, Aklan.

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