NU10 #2 by Rosalyn P. Donato

NU10 by Rosalyn P. Donato

2.  TREE AS A GIFT

The Background

For very obvious reasons, the denuded forest and mountains contributed to the recent massive flooding not only of water but of mud in Central Luzon. It was clearly an environmental disaster causing loss of lives and massive destruction of properties largely due to the abuse of our natural resources. And if we do not act now, future disasters will be much more grave and will claim more lives and properties. 

Gift giving is one of the expressions on how we show we care or how we love another person. Material things are the usual tokens that we give to celebrants or to people whom we care for. And eventually, they all end up as garbage dumped into the earth. And we all know, these eventually harm everyone. As an alternative choice, what could be more meaningful than "giving a tree" as a gift? Planting a tree in one's honor will be a wonderful gift not only to a loved one but to mother earth. It will benefit not only the gift receiver but more people and the future generations by doing so.

How the innovation will work:

A tree seedling will be bought as a "gift" from the organization that will do the tree planting. Each seedling comes with a certificate and a name tag same as the one which will be used as a tree marker. All of these will be enclosed in a beautiful card to be given as a proof of the gift. Written in the gift card is the information and story about the project and its location. The tree marker made of metal or stainless steel plate will bear the name of the gift receiver so that the latter will know that a tree will be planted in his/her honor.

Gains from the Innovation:

We need not explain further the benefits of planting more trees everywhere especially in the denuded mountains. They will produce more oxygen, reduce carbon footprint and prevent soil erosion. Tree planting is an overall winner that protects the degradation of our environment.

Implementation of the Innovation:

When a tree seedling with the beautiful gift card is bought from the organization, the schedule of the tree planting activity will be indicated. It will be an event which may or may not be coincided with the local government's tourism office on special festivals to draw more publicity. There will be an option for the gift receiver to go to the tree planting activity or not. If he chooses not to, he can have the option to go to the location at his convenient time to check on his tree. The tree will have the marker bearing the name of the person honored. Each tree will be planted in a chosen denuded area which needs reforestation. This area will be contracted for tree planting. Locals can be hired to care for the planted trees until they become viable and they will grow with minimal maintenance. By giving regular employment to the locals, they will be discouraged from engaging into illegal logging and kaingin farming. Money derived from the sales can be used to buy or grow more seedlings, wages of the tree maintainer and sustain the operations.  4