MDM

P14 THURSDAY | MARCH 7, 2019

CLOSE UP. Microscope installations give audiences a closer Beetles indigenous to Mindanao are among the newest addition look of the beetle and butterfly specimens. to the exhibition. Curios mall goers view the exhibit. Davao Region’s wildlife in focus The Philippine Eagle The event is slated on including birds. Focusing this appreciative of our region’s Foundation (PEF) with the March 4-9 with a series year’s theme also on Davao’s fauna, the PEF with DENR-11 Department of Environment of activities designed to beetle and butterfly diversity WFN and SM Lanang Premier and Natural Resources highlight the importance of is the region’s contribution to unveiled an interactive exhibit (DENR) Region 11 and the often overlooked species of preventing a global ecological on March 4 to kick off the Whitley Fund for Nature birds, beetles, butterflies, Armageddon,” said PEF event. (WFN) is hosting the “2nd and marine wildlife found Director for Research and The 2nd WildLIFE is WildLIFE is HERE,” a week- in the region’s green spaces Conservation Jayson Ibanez, HERE interactive exhibit long celebration of the unique or the patches of forest and PhD. features species of birds, wildlife species found in woodland and blue space or CITES unites 168 beetles, butterflies and marine Davao’s green and blue spaces. the Davao Gulf. countries in the protection of animals that can be found in The 2nd WildLIFE is “Experts believe that the world’s wildlife. the Davao region. The exhibit HERE is in line with the UN insects, including beetles and The global observance will run from March 4-9 at the World Wildlife Day celebrated butterflies, have undergone also aims to raise social second floor, Cinema Hallway globally every 3rd of March horrific declines over the two awareness of and conservation of SM Lanang Premier. to commemorate the signing decades. People are drastically values for our world’s wild “Together with the PEF date of the Convention destroying and polluting plants and animals. and DENR 11, we create this on International Trade in their habitats. Losing insects In support of this global learning space that adds more SECOND EXHIBIT. The second WildLIFE is HERE interactive Endangered Species (CITES) means losing our pollinators effort and with the aim to make meaning to our magical mall exhibit features species of birds, beetles, butterflies and marine of Wild Flora and Fauna. and the food of many animals, more Davaoeños aware and experience. This exhibition animals found in the Davao region

highlights Davao wildlife that activity dubbed as “Nature deserves much appreciation Contact” from March 6 to 8 at in photo and in real life,” said one of the most biodiverse spot Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos, in Davao City – the Philippine SM Supermalls Regional Eagle Center. The PEF created Operations Manager in “Nature Contact” to offer to the Mindanao. youth a first-hand experience Following the exhibit with nature through fun opening was the Public Talks learning experiences to instill at the Malayan Colleges conservation values. Mindanao (MCM) Auditorium The goal of the activity on March 5 from 8 a.m. to is to further knowledge and 4 p.m.. DENR 11 Chief of appreciation for the different Protected Area Management beetle, bird and butterfly and Biodiversity Conservation species in the city. The Section Marigelaine Arguillas participants of the event will gave a talk on the green and interact with experts on the blue spaces of Davao City event’s focal species and learn and Watershed Management to identify them and their Officer of Energy Development important ecological roles. Corporation Rich Paul Cosio The activity is open to students presented about forest from grade 6 to senior high restoration. Dr. Jade Badon, school with a registration fee Mr. Martin Pineda, Dr. Analyn of P250 per participant. The WILDLIFE EXHIBIT OPENING. (From left) Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos-SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager in Mindanao; Cabras, and Mr. Jose Ricky Biyo fee will go to the PEF’s Open Marigelaine Arguillas-chief of the Protected Areas Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section of DENR 11; and Philippine talked about the ecological Classroom Program fund to Eagle Foundation Director for Research and Conservation Jayson Ibanez, PhD unveil Wildlife Is Here. importance of butterflies, develop education materials birds, beetles and marine and activities for public school animals respectively. This students in Malagos, Baguio event is targeted to junior and District. senior high school students Finally, the Alpha Phi but will also be open to the Omega (APO) Lambda Nu public. Chapter of the University of “Davao City is a melting the Philippines Mindanao in pot of various ethnolinguistic partnership with the PEF will cultures in the south. But at be holding the 2nd Regional the same time, its land and Wildlife Summit on March 9 at sea are habitats to unique and UP Mindanao in Mintal. This diverse wildlife. It’s about time summit will feature the 5th we recognize the important Regional Wildlife Quizbowl, a roles these animals play in wildlife photography contest keeping Davao City one of which is open to all students the most livable cities in the and a short film-making world.” said Ruth Tawantawan, competition for high school Executive Regional Director of and college students. The Focusing this year’s theme also on Davao’s beetle and butterfly The exhibition brings learning experiences about biodiversity the DENR 11. students from APO are also diversity. outside the classroom. The PEF is hosting an active PEF volunteers.