FOREST GUARD PROGRAM
Local and indigenous communities are our best possible partners in protecting the ancient breeding sites of generations of eagle pairs. It is also from these communities that we recruit and select our forest guards who protect the eagles and their habitat in remote areas.
To enhance effective guardianship, we train our partner forest guards in patrolling and monitoring. We also equip and provide them incentives.
Alongside the communities is our partner local government units who help provide additional resources and incentives to our forest guards. LGUs also reinforce forest guards through the enactment of policies and ordinances.
WHAT IS A FOREST GUARD?
A single Philippine Eagle needs at least 7,000 hectares of land to thrive. This is an incredible challenge considering the current state of the Philippine forests. In fact, one of the largest threats to the survival of the species is habitat loss due to illegal logging, upland farming, and forest encroachment. Thus, to sustainably conserve our eagles, we need to protect our remaining old-growth forests. This is what our partner forest guards take on.
Our forest guards do the important work of protecting the forests where our national bird nests. Without them, this daunting mission would be impossible.
To date, our forest guards have planted 11,000 native trees that they have grown from their own nurseries and have removed over 200 native traps making the forests safer for the Philippine Eagles.
GET INVOLVED
We strive to strike a balance between development needs and conservation goals. In return for the clear conservation outcomes of our partner forest guards, we help with their livelihoods, educational needs, bridge access to health services, and others.
But this is not enough as not all Philippine eagle nest sites are protected. But YOU can help change that!