Youth-Led Environmental Stewardship: How Candawaga Students Protect Palawan's Biodiversity

Transforming Environmental Education Through Community Knowledge

In the highlands of Rizal, Palawan, students at Candawaga High School move beyond traditional environmental education as they blend scientific understanding with Indigenous ecological knowledge. What began as an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign in November 2023 has evolved into a student-driven movement for environmental protection that centers local wisdom and youth leadership.

"Young people understand the environmental challenges facing their communities better than anyone," shares Maria Santos, an 8th-grade student who now leads the school's ecology club.

"We don't just learn about biodiversity—we actively document and protect the native species that our grandparents taught us to value."

This approach reflects a fundamental shift in environmental education—moving from knowledge transfer to community action based on intergenerational wisdom. Students now conduct regular biodiversity surveys, combining scientific observation methods with traditional knowledge passed down through families.

Indigenous Knowledge Strengthens Scientific Understanding

The environmental stewardship program at Candawaga High School stands out by valuing Indigenous knowledge systems alongside scientific frameworks. Students interview community elders about traditional conservation practices before integrating these insights with classroom learning about ecosystems.

"Our grandparents protected these forests long before conservation became a global concern," explains Carlos Mendoza, a Grade 8 student participating in the program.

"When we document their knowledge about medicinal plants and forest management, we strengthen both our cultural connections and our scientific understanding."

This integration creates more effective environmental protection strategies that respond to local contexts. Students maintain a community herbarium documenting native plant species and their traditional uses, preserving cultural knowledge while creating scientific records of local biodiversity.

From Classroom to Community Action

What distinguishes this initiative from conventional environmental education is its emphasis on community-led conservation activities. Students don't simply learn about environmental challenges—they develop and implement practical solutions based on local needs and knowledge.

The program now involves 215 students across Grades 7-10, who lead various environmental initiatives including:

• A native tree nursery that has propagated over 500 seedlings of indigenous species
• Watershed monitoring teams that track water quality in local streams
• Community cleanup events that have removed nearly 200 kilograms of waste from natural areas
• Educational workshops where students teach younger children about local ecosystems

"Students apply what they learn immediately in their communities," explains Teacher Ramon Villanueva. "They don't wait for outside organizations to solve environmental problems—they take leadership based on their understanding of local ecosystems."

Digital Documentation Preserves Indigenous Environmental Knowledge

Recognizing the value of traditional environmental knowledge, students now create digital archives documenting Indigenous conservation practices. Using tablets provided through community partnerships, they record elders sharing insights about sustainable harvesting, weather prediction, and ecosystem management.

"By creating digital resources that preserve traditional knowledge, students ensure these practices continue benefiting future generations," notes Christian Eyde Moeller, President and CEO of Lionheart Farms. "This approach values Indigenous wisdom as essential to environmental stewardship rather than treating it as supplementary."

The digital documentation project has recorded over 45 interviews with community elders, creating an invaluable resource that connects cultural heritage with contemporary conservation. Students regularly present their findings at community gatherings, strengthening intergenerational knowledge exchange.

Climate Resilience Through Local Action

As climate change intensifies environmental challenges in Palawan, the student-led initiatives at Candawaga High School demonstrate how local knowledge creates effective adaptation strategies. Students monitor climate impacts on local ecosystems and document community-based solutions.

"We track changes in flowering seasons, rainfall patterns, and wildlife behavior," explains 10th-grader Elena Reyes, who coordinates the climate monitoring team. "By combining scientific observation with traditional knowledge about weather patterns, we develop better understanding of how our ecosystems respond to climate change."

This approach creates climate resilience strategies grounded in both scientific data and generations of local environmental wisdom. Students recently completed a comprehensive climate vulnerability assessment for their community, identifying areas requiring enhanced protection based on both scientific projections and traditional knowledge.

Expanding Impact Through Youth Networks

The environmental leadership program now connects students across multiple schools through regular knowledge-sharing events. Candawaga students host workshops where they train peers from neighboring communities in biodiversity monitoring and conservation techniques.

"We're building a network of young environmental leaders throughout Palawan," shares Teacher Villanueva. "When students exchange knowledge across communities, they strengthen both their technical skills and their commitment to environmental protection."

These connections extend beyond Palawan through digital platforms where students share their work with youth in other regions facing similar environmental challenges. The program demonstrates how local environmental action creates models that can inform broader conservation efforts while remaining rooted in specific cultural and ecological contexts.

The Future of Community-Led Conservation

As the program enters its second year, students continue developing new initiatives that blend traditional knowledge with innovative approaches to environmental protection. Their work demonstrates that effective conservation emerges from communities rather than external interventions.

"When young people lead environmental initiatives based on their communities' needs and knowledge, they create sustainable protection strategies," Moeller observes. "Their understanding of local ecosystems, strengthened by both scientific education and cultural knowledge, creates conservation approaches that truly fit Palawan's unique environmental context."

For communities interested in supporting youth-led environmental stewardship, Candawaga students welcome partnerships that respect local leadership and knowledge. Their work shows that meaningful environmental protection happens when young people apply their communities' wisdom to address contemporary challenges.