UPLB Institute of Renewable Natural Resources

22/09/2026

𝐈𝐑𝐍𝐑 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Program leaders from the IRNR Collective Mentorship Program (CMP) recently met with researchers from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Dr. Masafumi Yohda and Dr. Kayo Yokomori, to explore potential research initiatives focused on Carbon Cultivation.

The meeting opens opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge exchange toward innovative approaches to carbon management and sustainable natural resource systems.

15/09/2026

𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐈𝐑𝐍𝐑 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝

Congratulations to our colleagues! 🌿
The Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) celebrates with great pride and excitement as all five proposals submitted by the Institute for the Collective Mentorship Program (CMP) were approved by the UP Board of Regents during its 1,411th Meeting on 26 August 2026. These proposals form part of the pioneering cohort of the UP System’s CMP.

Launched by the University of the Philippines, the Collective Mentorship Program (CMP) is a strategic platform that advances graduate education, research, creative work, innovation, and public service across the UP System. It brings together experienced mentors, faculty members, researchers, graduate units, and academic communities in a structured environment that fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building.

This milestone reflects the expertise, initiative, and collaborative spirit of our IRNR faculty and researchers and strengthens the Institute’s commitment to advancing excellence in renewable natural resources education, research, and public service.

Congratulations, colleagues, and may these mentorship programs inspire more meaningful collaborations and impactful work for the years ahead!

Erratum: Please be informed that the designation “Project Leader” indicated in the captions should be “Program Leader.”

25/08/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝐈𝐑𝐍𝐑)! 🌿💧

Congratulations to our faculty colleagues Dr. Margaret M. Calderon, Dr. Analyn L. Codilan, Asst. Prof. Jan Joseph V. Dida, Dr. Vanessa M. Palma-Torres, and Dr. Canesio D. Predo of IRNR, together with For. Angela Marie S. Alducente, for receiving the prestigious International Publication Award of the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) for their study published in the Philippine Journal of Science.

The study examines tourists’ knowledge of resort water sources in Los Baños and Calamba, Laguna, their willingness to pay for improved conservation of Mt. Makiling’s groundwater, and the potential of such payments to support sustainable water resource management. The study estimated a mean willingness to pay of Php 75 per visit, which could potentially generate PHP 159.52 million annually for Mt. Makiling management and resort water conservation.

A great example of how research from IRNR can inform policy and contribute to the sustainable management of our natural resources. Congratulations to our colleagues for this well-deserved recognition! Proudly IRNR! 💚🤎🤍💙

RESEARCH | Calamba City and Los Baños in Laguna benefit from the water ecosystem services of Mt. Makiling. Being a dormant volcano, it supplies hot water to springs and groundwater in the area, giving rise to a resort-based tourism industry. Over the years, the number of resorts has increased significantly, placing a toll on groundwater resources. Given the heavy reliance on groundwater by resorts in the area, this paper presents the findings of a contingent valuation (CV) study that examined tourists' knowledge of resort water sources, reasons for their visits, and their willingness to pay (WTP) for improved water conservation of Mt. Makiling.

About 50% of 492 respondents were aware of the resort’s water source, mostly saying it is hot springs, but only a few knew groundwater as the water source. The main reasons for visiting the resorts are for relaxation as well as their accessibility and affordability. The estimated mean WTP is PHP 75/visit. If captured, this can raise PHP 159.52 million/yr, with a present value of PHP 1.358 billion at a 10% discount rate over a 20-yr discounting period. The respondents’ primary motivation for WTP was conserving Mt. Makiling’s limited groundwater. Those unwilling to pay cited affordability concerns and opposition to paying for pool water recycling. Insights about implementing a CV survey online are also discussed.

This study recommends that local governments enact policies to capture WTP for improved groundwater conservation, utilizing the funds generated for Mt. Makiling management and resort water conservation measures.

Authors: Margaret M. Calderon, Analyn L. Codilan, Jan Joseph V. Dida, Vanessa M. Palma-Torres, Angela Marie S. Alducente, and Canesio D. Predo (Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Published in the Philippine Journal of Science

Read more: https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/research/visitors-estimated-mean-willingness-to-pay-for-water-conservation-in-mt-makiling-is-php-75-per-visit/

25/08/2026

📣 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐭. 𝐀𝐩𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬! 🌿🏔️

Have you visited Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) within the past five years (2022-2026)? We’d love to hear from you!

We are inviting local and international visitors aged 18 and above to participate in our survey and share your experiences, perspectives, and insights about visiting MANP. Your responses will help contribute to research supporting the conservation and sustainable development of Mt. Apo Natural Park.

📝 Take the survey and be a part of this important study!

Access the survey via this link:
tinyurl.com/MANPSurvey
tinyurl.com/MANPSurvey
tinyurl.com/MANPSurvey

20/08/2026

📢 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞/𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲/𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬!

The University of the Philippines Los Baños is exploring the development of a Bachelor of Science in Agroforestry (BS Agroforestry) degree program. The program is being proposed as a joint academic offering of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) and the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS).

This survey is intended for representatives across a wide range of sectors, including:
✅Government agencies
✅NGOs or non-profit organizations
✅Private enterprises involved in agribusiness or forestry
✅Environmental consultancy firms
✅Professionals and stakeholders from research or academic institutions
✅International development agencies and organizations
✅People’s organizations and cooperatives

Your input will help shape future agroforestry professionals with the competencies your sector needs.

📋 Answer the survey here: https://bit.ly/UPLB_BSAgroforestry_Employers

We invite you to share this survey opportunity with professionals and team members throughout your network.

11/08/2026

🌱 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬!
The UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) and the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) are developing a proposal for a BS Agroforestry Degree Program.
We invite the following to answer the demand survey:
✅ Grade 10 students
✅ Senior high school students
✅ Recent senior high school graduates planning to enter college
✅ Other prospective college applicants interested in agriculture, forestry, environmental conservation, climate action, and sustainable development
Your responses will help assess student interest and guide the development of the proposed degree program.
📋 Answer the survey here:
https://bit.ly/UPLB_BSAgroforestry_Students
Please share this survey with prospective college students who may be interested. Thank you!

03/08/2026

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗦𝗞𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥 𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡! 💚💙🤍🤎

The Institute of Renewable Natural Resources warmly welcomes the newest batch of Bachelor and Associate of Science in Forestry students during the 2026 CFNR Freshies Convocation! 🌿

As you begin the 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗔.𝗬. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳, we look forward to being part of your academic journey and supporting you as you grow into future forestry and natural resources professionals.

Get to know more about IRNR through the following links:

🌐 𝗜𝗥𝗡𝗥 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://irnr.uplb.edu.ph/
📘 𝗜𝗥𝗡𝗥 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲: https://www.facebook.com/uplb.cfnr.irnr
👥 𝗜𝗥𝗡𝗥 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EKySYbb6n/

Welcome to the IRNR community, future foresters! 💚

31/07/2026

🌿 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 👷🏼

The Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) proudly honors our Forest Rangers, the dedicated frontliners of forest protection and conservation.

This year’s theme, “Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet,” recognizes their vital role in protecting forests and wildlife, engaging communities, enforcing environmental laws, and safeguarding our natural resources.

Not all heroes wear capes, but our Forest Rangers wear theirs with courage, dedication, and pride. 💚

Today, we celebrate their unwavering service in protecting nature for present and future generations.

World Ranger Day is supported by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and is observed worldwide to recognize and honor the vital work of rangers.

💚 Mention a Forest Ranger you know and help us honor their invaluable work!

📖 Read more about World Ranger Day 2026: https://www.internationalrangers.org/world-ranger-day-2026/