Tya Milne, a second-year Capacity Development and Extension graduate student, has received a Certificate of Appreciation for her role in presenting to the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines in November 2024.

Tya received a 2024-25 graduate student assistantship (GSA) to support the work of the Philippines-Canada Partnership for Nature-Based Solutions (Nbs) for Climate Change (PCP4NbS) [1] project funded by Global Affairs Canada. SEDRD’s Dr. Helen Hambly is the Principal Investigator, and Dr. Lauren Sneyd is a Research Associate on the project. Congratulations to Tya!

Image:  CDE student Tya Milne (left) and Dr. Lauren Sneyd (right).

The Forest Foundation Philippines [2], in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and a research and capacity development team from the University of Guelph, has launched the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS). This program, set to run from 2024 to 2028, will focus on implementing and discussing program strategies and learning plans across the Philippines. Pilot projects will be initiated in Batanes, Camarines Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and the Calamianes group of islands in Palawan.

PCP4NbS has two primary goals: (1) to enhance decision-making and gender-responsive climate change adaptation planning and practices, with a focus on the governance of community- and NbS; and (2) to promote the adoption of gender-responsive NbS with biodiversity co-benefits for climate adaptation, particularly benefiting women and communities. Over the four-year period, the program will collaborate with communities, civil society, government agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders to strengthen the climate resilience of communities, especially rural and indigenous women. Additionally, the program aims to ensure co-benefits for natural resources and healthy ecosystems.

The program seeks to achieve three key objectives: biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and gender equality in natural-resource management. A central aspect of the partnership is the empowerment of local communities, particularly rural and indigenous women, in climate resilience efforts. Through training and capacity-building, the initiative aims to foster inclusive development and empower marginalized groups to actively participate in climate adaptation initiatives.

In November, Dr. Lauren Sneyd and Tya had the opportunity to visit the Philippines, representing the University of Guelph, to co-facilitate a Learning Needs Assessment with the Forest Foundation team. They also visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to lead a seminar on the PCP4NbS project and gender sensitive NbS with our colleagues Gabriela Alegre and Arby Paulyn Rae Duero!