top of page

The New Year: A Time to Reflect, Appreciate, and Protect Our Natural Environment

Updated: Jan 9, 2023


As we approach the new year, it's a natural time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. While this process can be beneficial for personal growth and well-being, it's also important to consider the role that our environment plays in our lives and how we can better appreciate and protect it.


Our natural environment provides us with life-sustaining resources such as clean air, water, and food, and serves as a home for countless species of plants and animals. It's an integral part of the global ecosystem and plays a vital role in our well-being. However, every year, the state of our environment seems to be deteriorating at an alarming rate.

View Deck at the Lighthouse Marina Resort overlooking Subic Bay and Mount Cinco Picos along the Zambales Redondo Peninsula

So while we look back on the past and reflect on the experiences and people that have shaped us, let us also be grateful for the environment that sustains us.


Expressing gratitude for nature not only helps us to recognize its inherent value, but it also motivates us to take action to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the many benefits it provides.

As we enter another year, Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation (LMRLF) will continue to create meaningful programs that will not only show the beauty of nature but also promote environmental protection and generate sustainable livelihood for the community.


Here are some of our activities:


Forest and Folklore: Guardians of the Forest

Join us on a journey of discovery to Subic Bay and experience the beauty of the natural world through the eyes of the Aeta people, one of the first native settlers in the Philippines. The Aeta have a deep connection with the environment, one that has allowed them to thrive in harmony with nature and has helped to preserve the remaining forests in the region.


As a world culture, we have much to learn about sustainability, conservation, environmental ethics, and genuine concern for future generations from indigenous peoples like the Aeta, who have a wealth of ecological knowledge and a unique bond with the land, water, and wildlife of their ancestral realms.



This new kind of experience will allow you to not only explore nature but also create meaningful interactions with the Aeta people, celebrating and preserving their culture and identity. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from and connect with the natural world and the Aeta in a truly evocative and empowering way.



Reef to Ridge: A Journey of Environmental Conservation (for corporations)

Are you looking to improve your brand image and make a positive impact on people and the planet? Our program is here to help! Our innovative approach combines the best of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, inspiring your team and creating a positive impact on the people and the planet. With our program, you'll not only improve your brand image but also inspire your team to make a difference in the world.

The global crisis of trash, particularly plastics, in our waters is having devastating consequences on marine wildlife, human health and safety, and the economies of many nations. Tackling this issue at the source and changing the behaviors that contribute to it is crucial in addressing this environmental problem. The International Coastal Cleanup, of which the Lighthouse Legacy Foundation is the Zambales Area Coordinator, provides valuable data on trash collection that can guide governments, manufacturing industries, businesses, and individuals in finding solutions to marine debris. By participating in this annual volunteer effort, we can work towards a healthier ocean and a better future.


Our International Coastal Clean-Up campaign features a ridge-to-reef story. We want people to understand that cleaning up is one action we need to do to correct the mistakes of humanity. We will show that cleaning up leads to recycling and the circular economy, which we hope to build together.


Tribes, Treks, and Rainforest: Reforestation Campaign

Join us in supporting the Aeta tribe of Yangil in the Philippines. A campaign has been launched to reforest 3,000 hectares of their ancestral land that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption two decades ago. The Aeta tribe, with around 38 families in their village, has a deep connection to the environment and the mountains of San Felipe. As one of the oldest bloodlines in the world, the Aetas are vital guardians of the forest ecosystem, providing clean air, water, medicine, and food for all.



To help rebuild the Aeta's forest and provide food, medicine, and sustainable income for their community, individuals are encouraged to sponsor a tree for P200, which includes care for three years. The trees will be planted in the watershed by upland communities and will help to combat climate change and reduce flooding.



According to the World Economic Forum, we only have until 2030 to prevent a climate disaster, which is why this campaign is so important. By supporting this project, individuals can not only provide vital income and support for the Aeta's climate resilience and food security program, but they can also help to grow fruit and nut forests that will provide environmental protection and economic benefits to the province. The ultimate goal is to re-grow the rainforest, reduce carbon, lower temperatures, prevent flooding, and provide better water access for all.


If you would like to support the Aeta tribe and make a positive impact on the environment, consider sponsoring a tree today. Together, we can empower people and the planet for a better future.


We recognize the inherent connection between humans and nature and the importance of working towards a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the natural environment. That's why we have developed programs that aim to reignite this connection and foster a healthier and more harmonious relationship with the environment – one that is mutually beneficial for both humans and the planet.


According to Raf Dionisio, Executive Director of the Lighthouse Legacy Foundation and Founder of MAD Travel, "It is essential that we acknowledge this connection and work towards establishing a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the natural environment. Our programs are designed to help people rediscover their bond with nature and to understand the importance of caring for the planet."


Through our initiatives, we hope to inspire people to appreciate and protect the natural world and to work towards a more sustainable future for all.


As we ring in the new year, let's make a commitment to not only celebrate responsibly but also to make sustainability a priority in all aspects of our lives.


Happy New Year!




For more inquiries please email us at legacy@lighthousesubic.com


Follow us on our social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube


About the Author

Zed Avecilla is the Managing Director of the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation, a subsidiary of the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic Bay Freeport, and an awardee of the ANAHAW Philippine Sustainable Tourism Certification by Zero Carbon Resorts. He is also the Program Director for Zero Waste to Nature Ambisyon 2030 of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS) and the Philippine Area Coordinator of the International Coastal Cleanup





Related articles:


371 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page