Ecological boot camp in Subayon. Educating independent Filipino researchers
At the beginning of the year, we submitted a project proposal: ‘Building the local capacity in biodiversity conservation by creating an educational and research station’. In June 2025, we received news that our grant application had been approved! We received this funding as part of the Polish development cooperation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. As part of Stage II of the project, we prepared an ‘Ecological boot camp’ training course. We conducted it on 2-7 August 2025. Our venue was the Education and Research Station in the village of Subayon, located in the municipality of Bilar on the island of Bohol, which was rebuilt as part of Phase I of the project.
Why did we do Ecological Boot Camp?
Our goal was to increase human capital in the region through access to training and equipment. This would enable the local academic community to plan and carry out long-term research projects. This, in turn, would contribute to improving nature conservation in the Visayas region in a sustainable manner. The ecological boot camp was an interdisciplinary course combining various sciences. It covered topics such as the biology and ecology of selected Philippine mammal species and the diversity of local flora. We also taught methods of conducting ecological and conservation research that can be carried out in the field.
There was another goal of the training as well. We wanted to bring together three important stakeholders in nature conservation – academics, students and the local community. Not only so that they could jointly acquire the knowledge necessary to protect native fauna. It was also to establish dialogue and understand the needs and expectations of each party. Seven academic teachers from local biology departments took part in the training:
- San Carlos University in Cebu City – 4 teachers,
- Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City – 2 teachers,
- 1 from Cebu Normal University in Cebu City.
We also invited 7 master’s students of biology and environmental science at the University of San Carlos. Six representatives of the local community – residents of the village of Subayon – also participated in the training.
How did the Eco Boot Camp look like?
The training was designed and mostly conducted by Dr Filip Wojciechowski from the Kahibalo Foundation. He did zoological, social and threats assessment blocks. He was assisted by Mr Val Salares from the University of San Carlos who did the botanical block. The entire course was planned for 48 hours, which were divided into the following thematic sections:
- Local fauna and methods of monitoring wild animals (19.5 hours);
- Local flora and methods of studying vegetation cover (9 hours);
- Social science methods used in nature conservation (8 hours);
- Methods for identifying threats to biodiversity (4 hours);
- Group activities and project work combining all of the above content with the aim of developing a research strategy for the village of Subayon (7.5 hours).
Each of the above blocks included theoretical classes with practical tasks, as well as the application of the acquired knowledge in the field.
Boot-camp thematic blocks
As part of the zoology and animal monitoring block, students were able to learn basic concepts in the field of biodiversity and nature conservation. It included levels of biodiversity – species, ecosystem and genetic; ‘biodiversity hotspots’; the concept of ‘wildlife’; the basics of island biogeography; processes affecting animal population decline, particularly in the context of the Philippines. Participants also learned about the diversity of mammals in the Philippines. This included characteristics of all orders found in the country and an emphasis on endangered species.
This introduction was necessary to understand the need for animal population monitoring and the subsequent selection of appropriate methods depending on the characteristics of the group of mammals being studied. In the next part of the training, participants learned a number of methods for determining animal population size. These were line and point transects; Capture-Mark-Recapture technique; the use of tracks, trails and vocalisations as indirect indicators of population density; the use of camera traps and drones; and the use of local ecological knowledge (LEK).
Not just theory!
After completing the theoretical part, the trainees learned how to do line transects in the field. For the purpose of the training, they set two transects, each 500 metres long. They also learned how to use equipment (rangefinders and GPS) to conduct monitoring studies of nocturnal mammals. In addition, they learned how to set up camera traps and how to place them most effectively in the field.
During the botanical block, the training participants learned how to classify plant species into families and orders. They were also presented with the species identification keys available for the Philippines. Mr Salares then showed participants how to estimate vegetation cover in the field (transect, plot and quadrant methods). Also how to select the size of the sampling area and what data to collect. Trainees also learned about various indices that can be calculated using the collected data and how they can be used to protect biodiversity. The participants put all this knowledge into practice by assessing the vegetation cover on two line transects they did (a total of 1,000 m²).
Not only biological techniques, but also social ones
Working towards long-term species conservation is not possible without the understanding and support of local communities. Therefore, the course participants learned about social methods that are effectively used in research and conservation of mammal species. They learned about qualitative methodods: participant observation, archival research, in-depth interviews and focus groups, cultural domain analysis and participatory mapping. Participants also learnt quantitative methodology: questionnaires and good practices in designing research materials.
The classes included practical group tasks so that participants could explore the principles of planning selected techniques and practise their implementation. This social sciences module in wildlife population monitoring and nature conservation was concluded with workshops. The participants were divided into five groups and given the task of creating materials for five different social research techniques.
Assessing the level of threats
The last block was devoted to methods of determining threats to biodiversity. Our participants learned how the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies species. The trainees were also given the task of listing all the threats to animal species that came to mind. The topic is so complex that, even working together, they only identified about 30% of all threats. This knowledge was used for further debate on how to measure individual criteria.
At the end of this section, the students were introduced to various research techniques from the fields of biology and social sciences used to determine the degree of threat to mammal populations. Some of these methods were carried out by the participants themselves in the field on previously marked transects. They determined the distances from the transects to the nearest buildings, infrastructure, forest and farmland. In addition, they assessed logging and waste pollution.
What was the result of the ecological boot camp?
The training was crowned with a whole day devoted to creative work. It consisted of analysing the collected data. Mostly, however, participants worked in groups on interdisciplinary research programmes to be implemented in the village of Subayon. In three groups consisting of academics, students and residents of Subayon, the participants developed three-year research and conservation programmes:
- CoMPRAS – Conservation and Management of Philippine Rodents and Shrews
- Cryptic Climbers of Subayon: A Conservation Study and Action Plan on the Philippine colugo (Cynocephalus volans) and Philippine squirrel (Sundasciurus philippinensis) in Subayon, Bilar, Bohol
- Bridging the gap: Assessing Human-Macaque conflict in Subayon, Bilar, Bohol
These projects will serve to develop a long-term conservation strategy in the village of Subayon. The Kahibalo Foundation will implement them in collaboration with University of San Carlos and its students. It’s them who will carry out the projects and thesis work as part of the developed programmes.
Feelings?
The all above is a fairly detailed report of what we prepared. However, there were few comments about the feelings on this initiative. And there are many! The eco-boot camp was exhausting for everyone. For lecturers, for academic teachers, for students. Most of all for the local community, because many of the issues raised were completely new to them. Despite spending whole days learning and practising, you could constantly hear laughter and see the beaming faces of the course participants. And that is always the greatest reward for us!
However, all this was not done for nothing. The programmes that were created will be systematically implemented by us. But it would be more accurate to say that we will supervise the students and teachers. Because the ecological boot camp was designed to give Filipinos the right tools and knowledge. So that they, and not us, would ultimately take the initiative and start research and conservation programmes.
Interestingly, we have already reaped the first fruits! Just two weeks after the training, the first student expressed his desire to write his thesis with the Kahibalo Foundation! He developed a concept for a programme concerning rodents and shrews. And now he wants to put it into practice! Isn’t this the best proof that the ecological boot camp was a success?
Author: Filip Wojciechowski (Kahibalo Foundation)
