How Does UM Strengthen Its Environmental Initiatives?

In a meaningful celebration of Earth Day 2025, the University of Mindanao (UM) Alumni Affairs Office, led a tree planting activity on April 22, 2025. The event brought together 65 participants from various UM alumni chapters and partner offices, turning the day into a vibrant display of environmental commitment and community spirit.

The activity officially kicked off at 7:00 AM with a trip to the Davao Region Central Experiment Station (DARCES) under the Department of Agriculture in Tugbok, Davao City. There, the team collected 50 durian seedlings of the PUYAT variety, chosen for their excellent yield and contribution to local agroforestry.

From DARCES, the group proceeded to the MASFC grounds, where the seedlings would find their new home. Before planting began, an orientation session was held, led by Dr. Stilo Floyd Schneider, Director of the Alumni Affairs Office (Main Branch), and Ms. Corazon Namalata Lupiba, Director of MASFC. Their inspiring messages underscored the importance of environmental responsibility and alumni involvement in meaningful causes.

This event particularly aligned with SDG 15 Life on Land, to promote environmental actions to protect, preserve, and extend help to the agricultural sectors within the city.

The participants represented a wide range of UM stakeholders: alumni from the Makabayan Cultural Dance Troupe Chapter, alumni from the College of Hospitality Education (CHE), and the UM ROTC Silver Blade Alumni; employees from the UM Main Campus; and delegates from both the Alumni Affairs Office (AAO) and the External Relations and International Affairs Office (ERIAO), with members traveling from Tagum, Panabo, Digos, and Bansalan branches. Following the successful planting of the seedlings, the group shared a hearty lunch and camaraderie over stories and reflections. The afternoon was capped with a small donation program for MASFC students, reinforcing the day’s theme of giving back, not just to nature, but to the next generation as well.

Despite minor hiccups – such as transportation delays and brief communication gaps – the event ran smoothly, thanks to the flexibility and cooperation of all involved. The overall success of the initiative left participants feeling fulfilled and inspired, with many expressing enthusiasm for more outreach programs in the future.

More than just a tree planting activity, this Earth Day event stood as a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared purpose: to care, to act, and to grow – both in nature and in spirit.