A Campaign for Our Forests
Stockbridge PYPX Deforestation Group is a student-led campaign, meant to raise awareness about the effects of deforestation, and to encourage action to combat the effects of deforestation.
By definition, Deforestation is the purposeful, Permanent removal or Destruction of forests and trees, converting land to non-forest uses like agriculture, raching, or urban development.
Deforestation is the large-scale removal of trees from forest land that is then converted to non-forest use. It is not the same as seasonal tree loss or sustainable harvesting: once a forest is cleared, the dense web of life it supported, the soil it held together, and the water it regulated do not simply return.
During the 1800's, the Philippines had a vast, luscious and rich biodiversity, with beautiful green trees spreading over 95 % of the land. In the early 1900s, shortly after the 1800s ended, there were approximately 21 million hectares (70%) of forest remaining in the Philippines, Now, the Philippines has approximately 6.8 to 7 million hectares of forest cover left, which represents roughly 23% to 24% of its total land area. What was a vast, lush forest, covered in rich biodiversity, compared to now with its isolated, broken up fragments of what used to be past luscious forests. What used to be rich biodiversity, has now become a rapidly declining, heavily fragmented home for biodiversity, including animals like the Philippine Eagle.
Understanding deforestation begins with a simple idea: a forest is not just a stand of trees. It is a living system that our rivers, our climate, and our neighbours depend on.
A tragic cause of severe, recurring disasters, loss of ancestral livelihoods, and a permanent reduction of the country's unique biodiversity.
In the Philippines, cutting down too many trees removes the land's natural sponge, turning normal typhoon rains into dangerous flash floods and destroying the habitats of rare animals like the Philippine Eagle. This huge loss of forests also causes unpredictable weather for local farmers, washes muddy dirt into the ocean that hurts coral reefs, and forces native tribes out of the homes they have protected for hundreds of years.
Without root systems to anchor the soil, heavy rains turn into destructive runoff across Philippines watersheds.
Forests cool the air and hold moisture. Their loss pushes local temperatures higher, year after year.
Mindanao is home to the Philippine eagle and thousands of endemic species. Forest clearing leaves them nowhere to go.
Lumad and upland farming families depend on the forest for food, water, and cultural life.
Recovery is possible — but only when local action, policy, and everyday choices move together.
The forests we have lost will not return on their own. But The Philippines still has hope, Reforestation programs along the Philippines like Mount Kalatungan, a protected area on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, is a great example of a community working together to combat deforestation, These efforts prove that we can heal.
Support the enforcement of existing forest protection laws and the rights of indigenous stewards.
Help by donating to organizations such as "Haribon forests for life Philippines"
Refuse products tied to illegal logging. Choose local, ask questions, and look at supply chains.
Share what you know. Bring classmates, family, and neighbours into the conversation.