Building Capacity of Wetland Managers through CEPA for Healthy Wetlands and Biodiversity
Since its inception, the Society for the Conservation Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) has focused its activities in communicating the importance of wetlands and advocated for its conservation and wise use. This has been demonstrated in the numerous and intensive communication strategies and campaigns which are also in support of the efforts of the national authority that has now resulted in tangible outcomes in terms of increased public awareness and stakeholder capacity, making the term “wetlands” now familiar to people and communities and has gained attention even with the media and policy-makers.
Over the years, the SCPW has developed CEPA (communication, education, participation and awareness) approaches, methods, tools and materials and implemented events and activities successfully within its area of operations. These CEPA gems can be more useful if these are shared among the different stakeholders that may benefit from these.
To have a systematic way of disseminating these information, the SCPW is envisioning the establishment of a “Wetland School” that will not only make these materials available but will also conduct training on how to use them.
One of the objectives of the project is to prepare a road map for the establishment of an operational and sustainable “Wetland School”.
“Wetland News, Wetland Views” Episode 2: The Wetland School
In Episode 2 of SCPW’s Wetland News, Wetland Views, the “Wetland School Project” was launched. This online talk show aims to discuss and report current trends and initiatives in wetlands conservation.
In this episode, which was livestreamed on SCPW Facebook Page <web.facebook.com/scpwinc > and SCPW YouTube Channel <bit.ly/SCPWinc > on 30 June 2021, the possible configuration and content of a wetland school was discussed. Discussants who provided a wide range of perspectives on “How do we envision the Wetland School?” were –
- Anson Tagtag, OIC-Division Chief of Caves, Wetlands and other Ecosystems Division, Biodiversity Management Bureau – Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Ivy Amor Lambio, Plant Ecologist and Professor of University of the Philippines – Los Baños, also a Member od the SCPW Board of Trustees
- Carmeli de Guzman, Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Officer of Siay, Zambonga Sibugay
- Chris Rostron, Head of the Wetlands Link International in London, United Kingdom
The Discussion was followed an Open Forum. The event was hosted by Ms. Amy Lecciones, the Executive Director of SCPW.
This event was also in celebration of the Philippine Environment Month.
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