The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday said it is bolstering the production of native tree and bamboo species through the establishment of new forest nurseries and the restoration of existing ones across DENR field offices nationwide.

A DENR order also sets guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of forest nurseries.

Department Memorandum Order 2023-03 aims to guarantee the availability of free seedlings of native species for individuals, organizations, government agencies, NGOs, and tree-growing advocates. Seedlings will be distributed at no cost to requesting parties in accordance with the order.

Further, the DMO mandates existing and fully operational nurseries (EFONs) to produce a minimum of 15,000 seedlings of indigenous and endemic tree species annually. If EFONs are cultivating both native tree seedlings and bamboo culms, the minimum annual target is set at 10,000 seedlings (75 percent native trees and 25 percent bamboo).

Newly-established and rehabilitated nurseries are exempt from the initial year's seedling production targets. In subsequent years, they would be expected to produce a minimum of 15,000 seedlings annually.