Fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science students took a decisive step toward coastal protection and community stewardship as they spearheaded a mangrove planting activity on March 5, 2026, along the coastal area of Surngit, San Juan, Ilocos Sur.
The initiative formed part of Project LUNTIAN 2026 – “Growing Responsibility, Leaving Impact,” the graduating batch’s culminating extension program, reflecting their commitment to translate environmental knowledge into meaningful action for coastal resilience and sustainable ecosystems.
Guided by Dr. Christy Venezuela and Dr. Gill Ann Paranada, the students carried out the activity with strong support from members of the local community. Residents of the area actively joined the effort, working side by side with the students in a shared commitment to ensure the activity’s success. The collaboration highlighted the importance of community participation in environmental and civic initiatives, demonstrating how partnerships between academic institutions and local stakeholders can strengthen collective action toward a common goal.
The activity sought to advance environmental conservation while offering students a meaningful platform to apply the knowledge and skills they had developed throughout their academic journey. Through the activity, the graduating students actively contributed to the protection and rehabilitation of coastal ecosystems while fostering stronger community participation in environmental stewardship. The effort also highlighted the importance of collaborative action between the academic sector and local residents in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
Mangrove planting served as the centerpiece of the project, highlighting the crucial role of mangrove forests in sustaining healthy coastal ecosystems. These coastal trees are vital in supporting biodiversity by providing habitat and nursery grounds for numerous marine species. They also help stabilize shorelines, reduce erosion, and shield coastal communities from the impacts of storm surges and powerful waves. Through this activity, the students actively contributed to strengthen natural coastal defenses and promote the long-term resilience and sustainability of coastal environments.
Project LUNTIAN 2026 reflects the graduating students’ strong commitment to environmental stewardship and active community engagement. As they near the completion of their academic journey, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science fourth-year students exemplified their dedication to translate classroom knowledge into meaningful, community-based environmental action.
Through this extension activity, the students made a lasting contribution to the protection and rehabilitation of the coastal environment, while affirming their role as future environmental advocates and professionals devoted to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
