W hat is Urban Greening? It is an approach to the planting, care, and management of vegetation in an urban setting for the environmental, economic and social well-being of its urban dwellers, as well as of the greater community.  It covers urban agriculture and urban forestry. It “incorporates street trees, parks or urban open spaces, trees at homes, nurseries, green corridors, and community and residential food gardens.”

Urban Greening makes urban areas more livable. It addresses basic needs, such as, food, fuel, and wood for shelter and furniture. It also contributes to climate and air quality improvement; noise abatement; water use, reuse and conservation; soil conservation; solid waste and land reclamation; and nature conservation and bio-diversity.

If Urban Greening is so wonderful, how come we hardly hear about it? Instead, we hear about cutting of trees to give way for development in some cities,  and concerns about pests and water intrusion into offices that might arise from planting trees and plants.

Hear about the issues and challenges, the opportunities and constraints, and the measures that we can do to promote and enjoy Urban Greening in our urban communities—through the next episode of Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) on August 19, 2009, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., DZRH-AM radio (666 in Metro Manila, other kHz nationwide), TV (Channel 9 in Metro Manila, other cable TV channels nationwide), and Internet (http://dzrh.tripod.com or http://dzrh.prepys.com).

G uests are Director Marlo Mendoza of the Forest Management Bureau, DENR, and Arch. Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr., Founder and Principal Architect, Palafox Associates. Dr. Cora Claudio, president, EARTH Institute Asia, will monitor the talakayan in conversational Pilipino and English.

Join also the Quiz, contests, campaigns and projects of EARTH and Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! To join all, register at 2299: earth<space>your message.

The co-producers of Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! are EARTH Institute Asia and DZRH, with the support of Unilever, Unilab, Toby's Sports, Delbros Supply Chain Solutions, Yehey.Com, MAP,  and  Brahma Kumaris,  and the cooperation of GREEN Army, PFST, TOWNS, PBE, AIJC, PEIA, DENR, MabuhayRadio.com, and  various groups/individuals.

Join also the EARTHnetwork for Sustainable Living —a network of producers, sellers,  and   users of eco-products for the wellness of people  and  planet earth-- from decorative herbal plants to electric vehicles. Visit the EARTHnetwork booth at the Manila Aqua Marine & Aquatic Resources Expo 2009 (MAMARE’09), Aug. 20-23, 2009, Hall A, World Trade Center, Pasay City. Vice President Noli de Castro is the opening keynote speaker of the Expo on Thursday, while former President Fidel V. Ramos is the closing speaker on Sunday. Don’t miss this event!