Abigail L. Garrino
- Project name: Conserving Gomphandra coi: A Legacy of Conservation Pioneers and Community Guardians
- Project site: Palanan Permanent Forest Dynamics Plot, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Philippines
- EDGE species: Gomphandra coi
- Active: 2025 - ongoing
Biography
Abi is a University Research Associate at the Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines. Additionally, she is a keen field botanist and the Curatorial Manager of the Jose Vera Santos Memorial Herbarium.
Abi is deeply committed to exploring and conserving the Philippines’ rich yet threatened plant diversity. Her work focuses on long-term forest monitoring, site-species matching, and plant taxonomy, including the discovery of new species. Through the EDGE Fellowship, Abi aims to strengthen her skills in conservation science and community engagement, ultimately becoming a more effective conservation leader. She is particularly motivated to inspire and mentor young female conservationists in the Philippines while assisting in bridging the gap between biodiversity protection and community well-being.
EDGE Project
Abi’s vision is a future where Gomphandra coi is cherished and conserved under the care of local communities in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
Her EDGE Fellowship will lay the scientific foundation for the conservation of Gomphandra coi by completing the first comprehensive census of the species within the 16-hectare Palanan Permanent Forest Dynamics Plot. The project will generate critical baseline data on the tree’s distribution, reproductive biology, and habitat preferences, supporting the co-creation of a species action plan with local stakeholders.
