The second best time to plant a tree is now

There’s an old proverb that says every person in his lifetime should do these three things: plant a tree, write a book and raise a child. Since not all of us can do the last two, planting a tree is the easiest and absolutely positive way to leave an impact on the world we live in and will eventually leave.

Trees not only make a place beautiful, they literally give life to our environment by providing a home to birds and other wildlife, lowering temperatures in their immediate surroundings, filtering the air of carbon monoxide and dust, restoring harmony to nature, producing oxygen, retaining and cleaning water underneath the soil, and preventing wind and soil erosion.

The sustainable township of NUVALI rises in the Ayala Land tradition of the country’s top business districts — Makati and Bonifacio Global City (BGC). NUVALI, the first and largest master-planned eco-community by Ayala Land, in partnership with the Yulo family is expected to be the next commercial and business growth center in the Calabarzon, In masterplanning and developing NUVALI, Ayala Land understands that in building a new township, one must go back to the basics of life: to let nature thrive undisturbed even as you develop the area. 

This is what is being done at NUVALI, the 1,750-hectare community that spans the cities of Santa Rosa and Calamba, Laguna. In fact, NUVALI has committed to plant more than 100,000 trees within the 17-kilometer Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary preserved to ensure and enhance the welfare of existing eco-systems within the development. Since the start of development, NUVALI has planted more than 3,000 trees with the help of several organizations. This does not include the trees planted inside the approximately 250 hectares of on-going residential and commercial projects inside NUVALI. The preservation of open spaces is part of the masterplan development commitment to keep 50 percent of the community green and open whilst seamlessly integrated into the conveniences of a regional hub. Ultimately, NUVALI will be home to a central business district in the tradition of the Makati CBD with more open spaces like the Ayala Triangle Gardens, offices in a campus-like setting such as the now operational NUVALI TechnoHub at the Lakeside Evozone, a broad range of residential developments, retail and dining options like the lakeside destination, Solenad, and outdoor adventure recreational activity areas such as the now popular bike tracks, and the recently opened Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary trails and view deck. Think of trees, birds, dragonflies and open spaces while walking or biking in and around the city. 

How did it all start? A few years ago, the NUVALI team noticed that there were a lot of birds in the area and wanted to know more about their existence to ensure they were continuing to build responsibly. They partnered with Haribon to conduct an audit and discovered that there were about 62 species of birds (10 endemic to Luzon and can only be found in NUVALI, and 2 endangered), 7 mammal species, and 55 species of plants (10 endemic to the area)   It was decided then that the existing patch of land where the sanctuary was discovered would be extended and connected to all the green zone areas in and around NUVALI. By connecting these green areas, it will create a larger protected habitat for the wildlife and floral species to thrive. And, the great thing about it is that trails which will transverse these areas will allow people access to the sanctuary either on foot or on a bike. But, first the trees need to be planted.

In true Ayala Land tradition of encouraging volunteerism, NUVALI is calling on individuals, corporations and groups to participate in its tree planting program called T.R.E.E. (Together Reforesting Earth’s Environment). It works with Haribon and its own horticulturists and landscapers in cataloguing the existing habitat and to identify the tree species suitable for planting within the area — fruit-bearing trees (edible to humans or birds) and shade trees.

Some of the companies that have already participated are Ayala Land, Makati Development Corp., Ayala Property Management Corp., Department of Trade and Industry, and Procter and Gamble’s Eko-Adventure Circle. Many other companies and volunteer groups are now lining-up for their own tree planting activities in NUVALI.

“There are basic guidelines on proper planting to ensure the survival of the saplings before, during and after the planting activity in the outdoor conditions of the Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary,” according to Jun Bisnar, Ayala Land vice president and NUVALI general manager. A program briefing with the volunteers is conducted, as well as an onsite orientation on proper tree-planting to ensure its growth. Then a commemorative marker is installed in the area in recognition of the volunteer company. 

The latest participants in the program were 27 candidates of the 2009 Miss Earth beauty pageant along with the reigning Ms. Earth, Karla Paula Henry (Philippines) who planted Palawan Cherry trees by the lakeside with representative Grade 1 pupils from the adopted public schools of NUVALI in the Laguna area. The ladies were surprised to find a place like NUVALI in the Philippines and Miss South Africa, who is involved in urban planning in her own country, was said to have been awed by NUVALI’s natural beauty and sustainability programs and plans to push for similar ones when she got back home.  

For tree planting activities, the NUVALI team identifies the site and prepares it to minimize impact on the existing terrain. It does so according to the number of saplings or seedlings to be planted by the volunteers. It also identifies which tree species will be selected for the group to complement the existing terrain and the species that have already been planted by other volunteers. Some of the species that give shelter to birds are Almaciga, Anos, Buho, Kawayang Tinik, Running Bamboo, Banaba, Molave, Narra, and Supa; while some of those that attract birds are Atis, Bignay, Champaca, Duhat, Fire Tree, Kamagong, Malunggay, Star Apple and Talisay.

Volunteers, of course, have to be prepared to sweat it out as not all areas in NUVALI are accessible by vehicle and a short hike may be in order to go to certain sites — this is in keeping with the low-impact development (LID) within tree planting sites.

In fact, NUVALI is encouraging a culture of walking and biking (bike racks are provided and NUVALI commuter bikes for rent are now available). Water taxis also ply the four-hectare multi-functional lake, which not only creates a panoramic backdrop while dining al fresco at Solenad, the lakeside retail center, but also serves as part of the water management system.

So as Ayala Land develops this area in Laguna, NUVALI is continuing the natural life cycle by planting thousands of trees and seriously pursuing its commitment to sustain the natural environment.

Perhaps this anonymous quote sums up the way we should look at our duty to plant trees: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”