Collaboration creates awareness, new learningA growing news network in Southern Tagalog has taken a huge stride to bring Leave No Trace (LNT) to Mt. Malindig as part of its objective to create environmental awareness towards protecting the 1157-meter mountain. Marinduque News Network (MNN) has forged a collaboration with MisterLNT.ph to conduct an LNT Awareness Workshop (LNTAW) for the stakeholders of Mt. Malindig, a dormant volcano standing proudly on the southern tip of the island province of Marinduque in the Philippines. The heart-shape island province is part of Mimaropa administrative region, formerly Region IV-B.  Participants do the Marinduque pose during the Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop at Mt. Malindig jump off point. Photo credit: Joey Virtudazo Held at the jump off point of Mt. Malindig at barangay Sihi in Buenavista, Marinduque, the half-day workshop saw the participation of mountain guides, barangay officials, as well as other outdoor enthusiasts in the area. According to Romeo “Myong” Mataac Jr., MNN editor-in-chief, “this collaboration with MisterLNT.ph marks our network’s commitment to help Mt. Malindig in preserving its beauty and protect it from abuse.” A mountain less climbed, Mt. Malindig features a serene atmosphere punctuated by single-file trails that meander across expansive grassy slopes. Tree canopies cover the wet, foggy assault trail leading to the cloud-shrouded summit, which is completely surrounded by dense foliage. But, as Myong pointed out, “If left unprotected, the mountain can drastically deteriorate overtime.” “The project is our way of providing education that would create awareness, allowing the participants to be cognizant of the impacts created when climbing Mt. Malindig,” stressed Myong. Lito De Veterbo, founder of MisterLNT.ph, agreed with Myong, saying, “Protecting Mt. Malindig can start with proper education backed by solid outdoor ethics.” The LNT workshop was a pivotal step towards that objective. During the half-day learning session, the participants were introduced to the seven principles of Leave No Trace, a set of guidelines developed to minimize impacts to the environment while enjoying the outdoors. The 7 principles are: 1. Plan ahead and prepare 2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces 3. Dispose of waste properly 4. Leave what you find 5. Minimize campfire impacts 6. Respect wildlife 7. Be considerate of other visitors  Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop at Mt. Malindig jump off point as facilitated by Lito De Veterbo, also known as Mister LNT in the Philippine mountaineering community. Photo credit: Joey Virtudazo Highlights of the learning session included experiential activities demonstrating each of the seven principles. The interactive format provided the participants a venue to share their actual outdoor experiences, setting the mood for a fun and intensely engaging discussion. Amidst the backdrop of Sihi’s outdoor setting, each participant had a greater appreciation of the lessons as manifested by their genuine enthusiasm to actively participate in the activities. According to Joey Virtudazo, a Manila-based participant visiting Marinduque for the first time, “Learning LNT was fun and the real-world activities enhanced the engagement of each participant.” When asked if it is possible to successfully complete a Mt. Malindig climb without picking wild fruits and flower, chief guide Roger Manoy affirmatively said, “Yes, it is totally possible.” As learned by the group, LNT principle #4 (Leave what you find) discourages this unnecessary and avoidable habit because it negatively impacts wildlife. “In the ecological world, wild fruits and flowers help sustain a healthy biodiversity, serving as food and nutrients for wild animals, such as bees, birds, insects,” Lito stressed. He added that, “picking wild flowers would cut off the plants' reproductive structure and deprive wild animals of the food necessary to survive and sustain life, resulting in a disruption and imbalance in the ecological cycle.” “We must not bring home anything from Mt. Malindig.” Roger concluded.
However, after the learning comes the challenge to practice LNT. According to Lito, “the value of learning LNT can only manifest in the manner by which participants engage themselves in the practice of LNT.” "I would now be mindful of my every move in the outdoors,” enthused Janelyn Mataac, a participant who is into hiking and mountain climbing. She mused, “I need to make sure I reduce the impacts I create when I go outdoors," On hand and present during the activity was Barangay Chairman Dante Marinduque, who expressed his gratitude for bringing LNT to Mt. Malindig. “We are thankful to MNN and MisterLNT.ph for this learning opportunity,” he said, adding that, “We hope the learning and awareness translate into actions." About Marinduque News Network
Marinduque News Network (MNN) at www.marinduquenews.com is a one-stop online portal serving the island province of Marinduque. Aside from providing the latest news, information and as-it-happens updates in and around the province, the site likewise lends its hands in promoting the island to boost local tourism. Serving as the eyes, ears and voice of every Marinduqueno, MNN is headed by its editor-in-chief Romeo Mataac Jr, a true Marinduqueno by heart who loves travelling and exploring places.
About MisterLNT.ph
Conceptualized as a personal advocacy, MisterLNT.ph endeavors to promote responsible mountaineering in the Philippines through Leave No Trace (LNT), a set of guidelines developed by US-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics aimed at minimizing impacts to the environment. Fundamental to this worthy environment-centric endeavor is the dissemination and promotion of LNT principles across the Philippines to create awareness and consciousness amongst Filipino outdoor enthusiasts. The driving force behind MisterLNT.ph is Lito De Veterbo, a Manila-based mountaineer and a US-trained Leave No Trace Master Educator. MisterLNT.ph is supported by Deuter, Lighthouse Marina Resort Subic. Majemah Travel and Tours, and Sobrepena-Virtudazo CPAs.
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Equip yourself with proper outdoor ethics to minimize impacts to the environment Details for LNT Learning Opportunities Q4 2018 - Q1 2019
1. OBJECTIVE: To learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace via Awareness Workshop 2. SCHEDULES AND FEES FOR Q4 2018 TO Q1 2019 10/21/18 Mt. Balagbag, Bulacan - Pro bono 11/18/18 Mt. Maynuba, Rizal - Pro bono 12/02/18 Buenavista, Marinduque - Pro bono 01/26/19 La Mesa Ecopark, Quezon City, NCR 130pm-5pm - PhP421* 02/16/19 Mt. Arayat, Pampanga 5am-5pm - PhP474** 03/16/19 Mt. Kalisungan, Laguna 5am-5pm - PhP474** *Excludes meals, park entrance (P20 for senior, students, PWD; P40 for QC residents; P50 for the rest) **Excludes meals, transportation and guide fee (to be equally divided amongst participants) 3. WHO SHOULD ATTEND (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND A MUST FOR) a. Climb and outdoor event organizers b. Advocates for the environment c. Outdoor enthusiasts, including but not limited to mountaineers, runners, rock climbers, etc. d. Travellers/adventurers 4. REQUIREMENT TO JOIN (For physical fitness and only applies to sessions conducted in a mountain setting) a. Minor day hike within the last 3 months reckoning on the event date, or b. 5k run in 40 minutes within the last 3 weeks but not within 3 days prior to the event, or c. Un-timed, continuous 10k run within the last 3 weeks but not within 3 days prior to the event 5. LEARNING METHODOLOGY: Interactive, experiential learning session in an outdoor setting 6. LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS: Participative activities, demo of each principles using actual scenarios, actual hike (where applicable), completion certificates 7. WHAT YOU WILL GET UPON COMPLETION a. One (1) LNT Awareness Workshop Certificate (genuine copy) - View sample here b. Three (3) LNT reference cards (genuine copy) - View samples here 8. MAXIMUM PARTICIPANTS PER SESSION: 10 (Minimum 5 required to proceed with session) 9. ITINERARY: To be provided to confirmed participants 10. FACILITATORS a. Lito De Veterbo, Leave No Trace Master Educator: https://www.facebook.com/misterlnt/ b. Volunteer partners 11. HOW TO JOIN (Only Mt. Kalisungan session remains open as of 2/2/2019) - Click here |
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SPONSORS
Deuter Lighthouse Marina Resort Subic Majemah Travel and Tours Sobrepena-Virtudazo CPAs, Co. |
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MisterLNT.ph is an international Educational Partner of Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.lnt.org | Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved. | Powered by Lighthouse Subic