Aklan’s Project KAMPEON turns students into eco leaders

(Left) Students identify a specific, realistic issue at their school during the Climate Task Force workshop and propose a zero-cost step their groups can begin within 48 hours. (Center) The Eco Challenge Series’ Exploring Blue Ecosystems exercise tests participants’ ability to identify seagrass species in Jawili and estimate seagrass cover within a 50-centimeter-by-50-centimeter quadrat. (Right) Teams pot 1,000 seedlings in 10 trays within 30 minutes. (DENR-PENRO Aklan)

TANGALAN, Aklan — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Aklan launched Project KAMPEON, a youth camp designed to develop the next generation of environmental leaders.

The two-day camp, held Aug. 12-13 at the DENR Regional Training Center in Barangay Jawili, brought together student leaders from Aklan State University’s Banga and Ibajay campuses.

Participants represented the Biology Students’ Association, Forestry Students’ Organization and Environmental Science Society.

Youth desk officers from DENR-PENRO Aklan led the program, whose theme was “Empowering Young Leaders as Environmental Champions.”

“Our youth possess the vigor and stamina needed to champion environmental causes, making it essential that we provide them with the right platforms to deepen their ecological knowledge,” said Ramar Niel V. Pascua, acting regional executive director of DENR Western Visayas.

Project KAMPEON combined environmental education, practical training and team challenges intended to help participants turn what they learned into concrete action.

The Climate Catalysts session challenged participants to examine how young leaders can respond to environmental problems.

Juvi T. Trieste, a project development officer with the Aklan Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, facilitated the session.

Jorgia Amor O. Dagohoy, a conservation specialist with Haribon Foundation Inc., discussed current environmental issues, their effects and possible solutions.

Dagohoy also led a project development workshop that helped participants design responses to environmental concerns.

Jude Joenel M. Tungala of Tangalan’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted training on basic survival and disaster preparedness.

Participants applied what they learned through an Eco Challenge Series covering blue ecosystems, tree growing, seedling potting and wildlife handling.

Cecile D. Poblador, an ecosystem management specialist with DENR-PENRO Aklan, facilitated the Exploring Blue Ecosystems activity.

The exercise trained participants to identify seagrass species and visually estimate the percentage of the seabed covered by seagrass within a quadrat.

Sherwyn Eutiquio D. Teodosio III, project manager of the Mechanized and Modernized Forest Nursery, led the tree-growing and seedling-potting challenge.

Stewart G. Chen, an animal keeper at the Wildlife Rescue Center, facilitated the wildlife handling and restraint activity.

During the Kampeon Camp Challenge, teams demonstrated their creativity, cooperation and camaraderie through cheers, yells and handmade canvas banners.

“We believe in the potential of our youth to become great leaders someday. Right now, we engage them in valuable knowledge enhancement and hands-on activities so they can embrace their important role as future stewards of our environment,” said Jurlie D. Zubiaga, Aklan’s provincial environment and natural resources officer.

The initiative supports the goals of the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, which recognizes the role of young people in nation-building and directs government agencies to incorporate environmental education, practical activities and capacity-building into school programs.