The sprawling 1,200 hectare campus of UP Visayas in Miagao is a nature lovers’ haven, filled with a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora found along its undulating hills and plains with pockets of lush vegetations and mini forests. Many of the trees in the Miagao campus were planted by UPV faculty, staff, and students still based in the city campus in the mid-80s as well as the pioneers who braved living in Miagao when the campus opened in 1989.
There have been trails inside the campus that were formally launched during the past years. One such trail was presented on August 4, 2023 during the Eco-Trail Walk as part of the UPV & Miagao Friendship Week celebration. Present on this occasion was the president of Validus Amicitia Brotherhood, Inc., Mr. Francis Gerona, along with his fellow alumni members.
The new trail is a partnership between Validus Amicitia, one of the oldest brotherhood groups in UPV, dubbed the "UPV Eco-trail and Regreening Project."
Led by the organization’s alumni, the collaboration centers on multiple facets of environmental preservation, outdoor recreation, and biodiversity enrichment, set against the picturesque backdrop of the UPV Miagao campus.
Spanning about 3 kilometers on certain areas of the campus, the new eco-trail offers hiking, biking, trail running, and camping opportunities. As participants walked through the distance, huts built by Validus were already built along the way that will serve as observation area for nature appreciation, featuring spectacular views of the sky, mountains, and the sea - scenic views that are unique to UPV.
For enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to immerse in the diverse flora and fauna that can be found along the way, and would hopefully give them a deeper appreciation of the local ecosystem.
According to Validus, “as the project takes root and unfolds, it is set to carve a lasting legacy on the UPV Miagao campus” and “will stand as a remarkable example of how a shared vision for conservation and recreation can yield a transformative impact, encouraging a deeper connection with nature and a renewed sense of responsibility for our environment.” (With reports from the Validus Amicitia Brotherhood, Inc.)
