Make those travel goals worthwhile! The Masungi Georeserve Foundation just announced a new trail that lets visitors directly participate in tree planting and nurturing activities at the conservation area. 
Located at first ranger station of the Masungi Geopark Project, a multi-sector initiative to restore devastated lands surrounding the famous Masungi Georeserve, the Legacy Trail aims to immerse visitors on the daily work and struggles of conservation.
The Legacy Trail also features ‘Kawayan’, a bamboo-lined uphill path walk, and ‘Amihan’, a series of floating huts and ropeways among the last pine stands in the area.
Both feature light, temporary and low-impact materials suitable for the area.
The opening of the Legacy Trail comes at a crucial moment when the reforestation project continues to be threatened by destructive activities such as treasure-hunting, kaingin, illegal logging and quarrying.
“Just a few weeks before the trail was ready, a forest fire caused by kaingin ravaged a portion of the reforestation area very near the trail. Several young trees we recently planted were affected by the fire,” Ann Dumaliang, Masungi Georeserve’s project manager said.
“A few weeks before that, our forest rangers discovered a series of treasure hunting pits concealed by interested persons. As much as it is important to celebrate the success of restoration at Masungi, it is also important to show that the challenges persist in many different areas and that the public can do something about it. This is where the Legacy Trail comes in.”
The Masungi Geopark Project is a partnership between the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the Provincial Police and the Army’s 2ndd Infantry Division to restore and protect denuded lands around the Masungi Georeserve. Commencing in 2017, the project has already enabled the planting, nurturing and maintenance of more than 18,000 indigenous trees through the generosity of visitors and partners.
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