Locals call the Philippines' Sierra Madre mountain range their "mother" and "protector." Not only is this rich and fragile ecosystem home to more threatened species than anywhere in the world — for centuries, its thick forest has protected millions of inhabitants from the worst effects of the Pacific's raging typhoons.
But illegal logging and mining are devastating this sacred place. The ancient trees are 90% gone. Species from the flying fox to the rare Philippine eagle are losing their critical habitat.
A team of brave volunteers is fighting back — planting and nurturing new trees and guarding the replenished forest in a heroic effort to restore what’s been lost. They’re making steady progress, but it’s a race against time — with millions of us around the world we can supercharge their work.
Just $1 is all it takes to restore one square metre of this precious land and protect the animals and people who depend on it. Can you chip in to bring this rainforest back from the brink?
More information
Sierra Madre: Fighting to save what's left of a vital rainforest
BBC. 5 January 2023.
BBC. 5 January 2023.
‘The mountains protect us’: safeguards sought for Philippines’ Sierra Madre shield against typhoons
The Guardian. 6 October 2022.
The Guardian. 6 October 2022.