Forester Rea Lou R. Germo, a faculty of the Department of Forestry of the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences (CARS), is one of the participants in the Summer Course on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (Eco-DRR and CCA) held last August 21-26, 2023, at the Faculty of Geography, Universitas of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The course was developed in collaboration with researchers, lecturers, and practitioners from university partners and employs a worldwide standard curriculum. During the training, the participants learned about EcoDRR’s concept and practice and had some cultural experiences in Yogyakarta and its surroundings.

The main objective of the training was to provide participants with a thorough theoretical framework and present practical tools for understanding the linkage between ecosystems, disaster occurrences, and climate change. This is under the CHED-funded project titled “Leveling-Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources (LevelUPHEI AFAR)”, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) together with the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Forester Germo was awarded as Best Participant among the 24 participants (13 participants from the Philippines and 11 participants from other countries).