by Asha Janel Celis (10E)
On the 15th of March, the entire 10th Grade English Section spent the day at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP), to discover the different species of plants and animals that inhabit the protected area and investigate how abundant plastic pollution is in the coast for our Biology and Geography classes.
The Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park is renowned for its biodiversity. It is the home to various species of plants and animals, including migratory birds that use the wetlands as a temporary place for resting and feeding, and mangroves that serve as natural buffers against floods by absorbing large amounts of water and trapping debris in their roots. As such, it was declared a protected area in August 2018, meaning it is legally protected with the primary goal of conserving and protecting the ecosystem from human activities and prohibiting human inhabitants.
Which is why upon our arrival, we could only hear the sound of nature: a few chirps, rustling leaves, and the subtle sound of splashing waves here and there. As the LPPWP is open to everyone for recreational and educational purposes, visitors are strictly encouraged not to make any loud noises that may disturb the animals and migrating birds that currently inhabit the area. However, since we were a rather large group of teenagers, we had to be reminded of this rule quite a number of times!
While walking towards our first destination within the wetland park, we could not help but admire the abundance of trees surrounding us, coming in all different shapes and sizes. The coast and lake offered equally breathtaking views! Seeing how well-preserved and cared for everything was, it was surprising to discover that even a protected area like this is still subject to pollution. A large suitcase and couch cushion on the shoreline was quite an odd sight! Our Biology and Geography teachers asked us to come up with reasons as to why and how this might have happened, as well as solutions to prevent pollution. Our class was able to come up with similar ideas collectively, with most agreeing that this was a result of rivers washing up large amounts of trash and carrying them along the coast.
This field trip proved to be a success with our dear teachers Ms. Grisela Marti, and Mr. Glyn Lewis to guide us, as it was as a unique opportunity for us to not only learn about the delicate balance of ecosystems but also to witness firsthand the impact of human activity on the environment. It served as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the need for collective responsibility in preserving our natural resources for future generations and for the species we share our planet with!
