Haribon Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, simply known as Haribon Foundation, is a membership organization dedicated to the conservation of Philippine
biodiversity
. It aims to build a constituency for environmental issues that will prioritize conservation actions on habitats and sites, based on solid, scientific, and socio-economic research. It considers itself the pioneer environmental organization in the Philippines.
The name “Haribon” is a concatenation of “haring ibon,” in English "bird king" or "king of the birds", referring to the Philippine Eagle
, the icon signifying the importance of protecting biodiversity in the Philippines. Its presence is a constant reminder to Filipinos to be continuously involved in taking care of our environment.
Haribon started out as a bird-watching society in 1972 which evolved into a nature and wildlife conservation society. In 1983, the society became a full-fledged conservation foundation. It is recognized in the Philippines
and abroad as the pioneer in Philippine environmental conservation. It joins birds and habitat conservation
organizations worldwide in a global partnership called BirdLife International
, Haribon being the Philippine partner.
is a marine sanctuary, since 1995 to the luminous seahorses swimming among corals in the dark waters. It was awarded the most outstanding marine protected area
(MPA) in the Philippines
by the MPA Support Network (MSN), a multisectoral alliance of organizations seeking to protect the marine environment. The 50-hectare Handumon marine sanctuary is part of a large barrier reef in the waters of Bohol, teeming with fish, seashells and thick mangroves. The Haribon Foundation set up a Project Seahorse Foundation in Handumon to protect seahorses.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
. It aims to build a constituency for environmental issues that will prioritize conservation actions on habitats and sites, based on solid, scientific, and socio-economic research. It considers itself the pioneer environmental organization in the Philippines.
The name “Haribon” is a concatenation of “haring ibon,” in English "bird king" or "king of the birds", referring to the Philippine Eagle
Philippine Eagle
The Philippine Eagle , also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae that is endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures in length and weighs...
, the icon signifying the importance of protecting biodiversity in the Philippines. Its presence is a constant reminder to Filipinos to be continuously involved in taking care of our environment.
Haribon started out as a bird-watching society in 1972 which evolved into a nature and wildlife conservation society. In 1983, the society became a full-fledged conservation foundation. It is recognized in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and abroad as the pioneer in Philippine environmental conservation. It joins birds and habitat conservation
Habitat conservation
Habitat conservation is a land management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore, habitat areas for wild plants and animals, especially conservation reliant species, and prevent their extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range...
organizations worldwide in a global partnership called BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
, Haribon being the Philippine partner.
Philippine luminous seahorse sanctuary
On December 9, 2007, Getafe, Jandayan Island off BoholBohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
is a marine sanctuary, since 1995 to the luminous seahorses swimming among corals in the dark waters. It was awarded the most outstanding marine protected area
Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...
(MPA) in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
by the MPA Support Network (MSN), a multisectoral alliance of organizations seeking to protect the marine environment. The 50-hectare Handumon marine sanctuary is part of a large barrier reef in the waters of Bohol, teeming with fish, seashells and thick mangroves. The Haribon Foundation set up a Project Seahorse Foundation in Handumon to protect seahorses.