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Gamified tree monitoring app launched at UP freshmen orientation program

| Posted by UP Media and Communication Office

Powerhouse –  The leaders of the partnership initiative on the GINA App- U.P. PAUW President Edlyn Frances Verzola and U.P. Resilience Institute Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay. Photo courtesy of PAUW UP Chapter.

 

An app that seeks to promote and monitor the planting of native trees was launched during the Freshmen Orientation Program at the UP Theater on Aug. 11.

The GINA (Grow and Identify Native Trees in Your Area) Project, a partnership of the UP Resilience Institute and the UP chapter of the Philippine Association of University Women, is “a citizen-powered platform to restore forest cover and protect Philippine biodiversity [that] allows users to identify native trees using AI, record and monitor tree growth, and contribute to reforestation through gamified, community-driven efforts.”

Dr. Mahar Lagmay, UPRI executive director, and Atty. Edlyn Verzola, PAUW-UP president, urged UP freshmen to take action in environmental sustainability through the planting of native trees to replace lost forest cover in the country, and to use the GINA app to track their progress.

 

Freshies lining up to receive free seeds with a heightened interest in participation in tree planting to save the country’s forests. Photo courtesy of PAUW UP Chapter.

 

With the aid of the GINA platform, tree-planting activities that are uploaded will be geotagged and tracked over time, promoting long-term monitoring and community engagement in reforestation. A leaderboard also allows users to view and compare reforestation contributions with other users, fostering community involvement by highlighting individuals and organizations making the most impact through tree planting and documentation.

The GINA platform also features a tree library where users can browse a database of native and indigenous tree species found in the Philippines. Each entry includes images, scientific names and key ecological information to support tree identification and awareness. GINA can also assist users who upload photos in identifying trees AI-based recognition combined with validation from local experts.

This year’s freshmen were among the first to receive free native tree seeds with instructions for planting and care. After the inspirational talks by Dr. Lagmay and Atty. Verzola, students lined up at the UPRI and PAUW booths to receive free seeds. Interest in participating was high, with hundreds of students registering to join the sustainability initiative.

 

UP Resilience Institute Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay onstage introducing the GINA App to the freshies. Photo courtesy of PAUW UP Chapter

 

The GINA platform is powered by PAUW-UP and UPRI in collaboration with the Climate Change Commission, the Philippine Native Tree Enthusiasts, the Energy Development Corporation, and Palec and Amigos Urban Environ.

For more information, visit gina.up.edu.ph.

 

Booths were manned by the UPRI Team and UP PAUW members President Atty. Edlyn Verzola, COO Atty. Tintin Nuval, and Committee on Parks, Biodiversity and Environment Chairperson Dr. Susan Lagmay-Solis & Vice Chairperson Dr. Cathe Nadal. Other members present include native tree expert Ms. Cel Tungol, Dr. Monina Buccat and Dr. Helen Lagmay- Uichanco. Photo courtesy of PAUW UP Chapter.

 

Seeds for distribution. Photo courtesy of PAUW UP Chapter.

 

A variety of native tree seedlings including narra, kalumpit, salinggogon (Philippine cherry blossoms), ylang ylang and bitaog were distributed to the freshmen after the Freshman Orientation Program. In photo are L-R Dr. Monina Buccat, Dr. Helen Lagmay-Uichanco, Ms. Araceli Manalili Tungol, Atty. Edlyn Verzola and Dr. Susan Lagmay-Solis. Photo courtesy of PAUW UP Chapter.