Ecoscouting

Learning together, observing the world around you, and appreciating nature. These are the three pillars of the Hotchkiss Foundation's Ecoscouting™ program. The program's goal is to educate the local youth of the Hotchkiss Learning Center about today's environmental issues, while fostering responsibility as environmental stewards and world-citizens. The Ecoscouting™ program strives to teach kids concepts both in the classroom, and in situ at its numerous Outdoor Teaching Labs™ (OTLs). As of now, the Hotchkiss Foundation is working to create a distance guest lecture series, a recycling program, and a butterfly garden.

OTL I: Inijakan Island (terrestrial)

Inijakan's terrestrial habitat is one of the primary sites of the Ecoscouting program. Here, students can experience the limestone/karst forest ecosystem of the Philippines. Highlights include the site's high diversity of native plant life, and its very active population of Rufous Hornbills (Buceros hydrocorax). See the Island Biodiversity Conservation page for more information.

OTL II: Inijakan Island (marine)

The marine environment surrounding Inijakan Island is another primary site of the Ecoscouting program. As a sanctuary for many marine life organisms found in Philippine waters and the Coral Triangle, OTL II is an ideal place for local youths to learn about marine conservation and experience marine life and ecosystems first-hand. See photos of our recent Eco-scouting activities here.

OTL III: Palje Farm

(KINGFISHER) Palje Farm is the site for the Hotchkiss Foundation's Organic Farm. As an OTL, Palje Farm is an important site for students to learn about their local food system, and how practices like organic and sustainable farming affect their lives. Ecoscouting program participants not only have interactive lessons on composting and planting, but they also get to know their local market environment and local food producers.

OTL IV: Cantilan River

(MANGROVE) At the Cantilan River, students can observe where ocean and freshwater ecosystems meet. This interface not only demonstrates critical points about human impacts on the environment, but also serves as a primary location for the Foundation's mangrove restoration efforts. This OTL encourages students to view their surroundings up-close, and have a hand in protecting its environmental integrity.

OTL V: Baybay Beach

(BITAOG) Costal erosion is a primary concern for coastal communities in the Philippines. Ecoscouting students learn about such concepts at Baybay Beach, while taking part in erosion mitigating tree species and participating in beach cleanup days.

OTL VI: Ayoke Island

As one of the first Marine Protected Areas in the area, Ayoke Island provides a perfect look at how to successfully protect marine resources from a community-based perspective. On Ayoke, students can learn from local stakeholders who experience first-hand the effects of overfishing and marine environment degradation.