More than 2,000 Mangrove Trees planted at Gensan's biggest Mangrove Tree Planting Party!

Over 200 individuals joined the biggest Mangrove Tree Planting Party this year at the Minanga Mangrove Forest Park in Buayan, General Santos City.

More than 2,000 Mangrove saplings and 300 Mahogany trees were successfully planted by volunteer-nature lovers headed by the SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of General Santos City  as part of the celebration of the National Environment Month. It was also participated in by some students from Mindanao State University, representatives from Petron Gasoline Station, Music City Videoke Bar and the officers and reserves from the Philippine Air Force.

Nanardxz of South Cotabato.Org, Sheila Marie Dumalay and Avel Manansala of Gensantos.Com

By planting mangrove trees, the group was able to help in the protection of the coastal eco-system as mangrove trees provides physical habitat and nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine organisms, it also serve as storm buffers- it reduces wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas and it also provide resources for coastal communities who depend on the plants for timber, fuel, food, medicinal herbs and other forest products.

Planting mangroves on muddy soil was not an easy job, one is required to walk on bare foot and get dirty but it was definitely fun, and after the experience hope comes that all the young trees that was planted will grow... and live.

[Photos by: Brian Congson]