Runners urged to help plant

1,400 trees

 

RUNNERS, walkers and sports enthusiasts are encouraged to do their share in a bold attempt to restore the local environment by helping plant 1,400 trees in Negros Oriental by the end of 2011.

The goal of the tree planting activity is in line with the “Race for 350 Trees,” a series of eco-sports-tourism fun runs organized by non-government organizations (NGOs) in four events marking environment conservation-themed observations this year.

The race will start with Earth Day in Dumaguete City in April, followed by Biodiversity Day in Valencia in May, Environment Day in Sibulan in June, and World 350 Call for Action in Bacong in October.

Local environment and sports enthusiasts can help the province reach said goal by becoming a sponsor, a volunteer or a participant during the fun runs.

Every race participant will fund one tree seedling or an endemic tree to the area.

The funds raised during the runs will be used by the non-government organization (NGO) organizers to purchase and plant 350 tree seedlings and other tree-growing needs at the Urban Tree Park Project in Barangay Camanjac, Dumaguete City.

The seedlings will be bought from the Liptong Rainforest in Bacong town at P50 per seedling.

Already 350 trees were initially planted in October last year at Lawigan, Bacong town when the One350 activity was launched.

The NGO organizers are the Silliman University Student Government’s Environmental Committee, One350, Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club (MDRC), and the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental (FENOr).

Paultom Paras of the MDRC said the race’s details are still being finalized as of Monday. (PIA)