Grade 10E Students visit Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park

Learning, Teamwork, and the Fight Against Plastic Pollution

by Grisela Ruiz Marti

The Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) once again opened its gates to welcome Grade 10E students on Friday, 21 March, making our third consecutive year visiting this ecological gem. Each visit has allowed us to witness encouraging progress: a growing number of migratory birds and a noticeable reduction in costal pollution – signs of LPPWP’s remarkable conservation efforts.

The park has seen exciting developments, including the opening of a museum and ongoing projects like the bambusetum and a nursery for young plants. The park is divided into two main structures: Long Island and Freedom Island. It boasts eight species of mangroves and 114 hectares of mudflats, offering vital sustenance to approximately 5000 birds daily. This park is part of a critical migratory route and serves as a haven for the Philippine Duck, a vulnerable species the park actively protects.

Our visit was more than just sightseeing or birdwatching. The visit, part of the IGCSE curriculum for Combined Sciences and Geography, engaged students in hands-on fieldwork. By conducting fieldwork, students had the opportunity to enhance their skills in data collection and analysis. Field investigations like these bring science to life, helping students understand how interconnected subjects – from geography, biology to chemistry – combine to address real-world issues.

Plastic pollution, a global challenge, deeply impacts wetland ecosystems like LPPWP. Students saw firsthand how plastic waste endangers wildlife and ecosystems. The growing awareness among students about its effects emphasizes that change begins with informed actions.

Beyond academics, the trip fostered teamwork and strengthened social bonds, proving once again that learning outside the classroom can be as impactful as within.

The Grade 10E visit to LPPWP serves as a reminder of the power of collective action in preserving the natural world for future generations. Field trips, like this one, not only educate but inspire responsibility toward sustainability. The fight against plastic pollution starts at home, at school, with knowledge and with small action taken in our everyday lives.