by Kylone Soriano, Aira Joy C. Delos Angeles, Feye Andal, Kenneth Liporada, Fritz Andal, Dr. Darwin Bandoy, and Patrick Ryan Bello
Images 1 and 2: Demonstration of the GINA app and tree identification field guide
The UP Resilience Institute (UP RI) participated in the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) Alumni Homecoming 2026, held from April 22 to 24, 2026, at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The event carried the theme “Harnessing the Role of Forestry Education for a Climate-Resilient Philippines” and was organized by CFNR in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources Alumni Association (UPLB CFNRAA).
As part of the homecoming activities, the CFNR Alumni Homecoming Exhibition was held from April 23 to 24, 2026, showcasing programs, initiatives, and contributions of agencies, student organizations, and partner institutions associated with CFNR. The exhibition served as a platform for knowledge exchange and engagement with alumni, students, and the broader community, highlighting efforts in advancing forestry education, research, and sustainable natural resource management.
UP RI took part in the exhibition on April 24, 2026, setting up a booth at the Florencio Tamesis Hall at CFNR. The booth featured the GINA (Grow INdigenous Trees in your Area) platform, providing attendees with a walkthrough of the platform’s website interface. Participants were guided through accessing the platform, exploring its features, and using its mapping and tree documentation functions across web and mobile platforms.
GINA is an application developed by UP RI that allows users to map and document native trees through a geospatial interface. This supports environmental monitoring and encourages community participation in sustainability efforts. The platform also includes enhanced features, such as an events functionality, which enables users to organize and track activities within the system. As part of this effort, a prototype field guide for tree identification was also demonstrated—a manual classification designed to support the recognition of common native tree species in the Philippines.
Images 3 and 4: Explanation of the GINA tree library by WebGIS team
Through its participation in the event, UP RI emphasized the importance of digital tools for supporting forestry and environmental initiatives, showcasing how technology can enhance ongoing conservation and sustainability efforts. The exhibit and demonstrations were facilitated by representatives from UP RI’s NOAH WebGIS Team and the Research and Creative Works (RCW) Team, who engaged participants and showcased the GINA platform’s features and applications during the event.