In May, I, as the Head of the Events Committee of the High School Environmental Council, as well as the third grade students made a visit to La Mesa Watershed. La Mesa Watershed is located in the Philippines. It is an "ecological nature reserve" in Quezon City and is "part of the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system" which is responsible for supplying and distributing "most of the water supply of Metro Manila" ("La Mesa Ecopark"). Its reservoir occupies approximately 27 square kilometres. It provides water to about 12 million residents in Metro Manila ("La Mesa Ecopark").

La Mesa Watershed is a "government property" and was "commissioned in 1929." However, since then, water shortage was one of the primary concerns for the Filipinos- many Filipinos illegally logged and invaded "grass plant community types" and forests ("The La Mesa Story"). Thus, the government of the Philippines decided to implement a reforestation program on June 21, 1999 ("The La Mesa Story"). In effect, it was able to successfully increase the number of plant species in the dam. In 1999, the La Mesa Watershed only consisted of 8 plant species, namely the Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia magnum, Gmelina arorea, Mahogany (Sweitenia macrophylla), African tulip (Spathodia campanulata), Eucalyptus and Teak (Tictona grandis) ("The La Mesa Story"). Currently, there are 82 endemic species in the watershed ("The La Mesa Story"). 

As of now, La Mesa Watershed "calls for the rehabilitation, protection and development of the watershed" ("La Mes Ecopark and La Mesa Nature Reserve"). More specifically, its objectives are to "maintain watershed values for optimal water production, to improve and maintain revenue generating capacity of the dam reservoir, to enhance bio-diversity,to sustain watershed management system" and "to adequately install structures in the watershed to highlight the educational, recreational and aesthetic aspects of the resource" ("La Mesa Ecopark and La Mesa Nature Reserve"). 

During my actual visit to the La Mesa Watershed, I planted germinated seeds in soils. It was actually a simple process. Students were firstly given 5 bags of small black plastic bags, in which we were in charge of putting in and packing soils. Then, we carried the black plastic bags filled with soils to the site where we were responsible for planting the germinated seeds. Thirdly, we took out the plant and the root out of the land and planted it in the black plastic bag. This, according to the plant instructor, is supposed to support the growth and development of the plant. 

We also touched earthworms. This was the activity that the third graders enjoyed the most. It is very rare for us, who live in metro sites and cities, to witness and see earthworms as we are not exposed to grass and green sites. So, touching these earthworms was a great opportunity for us to experience and indulge in the exquisite nature! 

Here are some photos that my friend and I took during our visit to the watershed! 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Mesa_Ecopark

http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/bk/lamesa-mission.html

http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/bk/lamesa.html