One of Cebu, Philippines’ last biological strongholds which is Tabunan forest. It is known to support two globally threatened birds endemic to Cebu, the Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis) and the Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor), but is in danger of further destruction.

Agricultural production has expanded into the forest periphery while at the same time highly aggressive exotic species such as Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis have gradually replaced endemic forest trees. Hence, Partners Committed to Environmental and Economic Management Foundation, Inc. (PCEEM Foundation, Inc.), Kantipla Ecosystem Enhancement Protection Foundation, Inc., (KEEP), Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCF), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) joined hands in the ecological enhancement of Cebu’s last biological stronghold.

Physical restoration of the area via enrichment planting of endemic trees coupled with forest wardening by the shifting cultivators turned forest wardens or “protectors of forest” were undertaken to restore Tabunan forest and thereby enhance wildlife habitat and biodiversity corridors. Presently, enrichment planting of endemic tree species expanded outside the forest periphery. Likewise, forest protection intensified at the same time as more people were transformed into partners in forest conservation. Tabunan forest’s canopy, which used to be single-layered because of the dominance of Acacia mangium and A. auriculiformis now resembles a typical tropical rain forest because of its multi-layer of trees. Birds and other important wildlife now become visible in the area. It has become a favorite destination of local and international bird watchers.