Walk on treetops at Initao-Libertad (Lasang) forest in Misamis Oriental

Our next 2010 wish list item for friends and readers is a green venture: walking on top of trees at the Lasang Secret Adventure, a project of the Misamis Oriental provincial government covering several hectares of forest in the Initao-Libertad protected area on lease from the DENR.

At this time, there are just five viewing stations yet at the forest canopy, which are connected by hanging bridges. The vision is a wide expanse of forest to explore at the top; hence, they are building more stations and bridges.

Lasang may not be Pandora but we felt like a Na'vi in crossing the bridges.  They don't sway and unless one is suicidal to jump over the rails, there's is no way of falling from the canopy of predominantly talisay gubat trees. 

The canopy is a perfect place for birdwatching.  We learned that a survey has been completed and seventy four bird species, two of them in the list of endangered ones, have been identified.  So far, they've seen a pair of Philippine eagles in residence there too.

Adventuring at the forest floor is not in the park program so there's no way for a chance encounter with poisonous snakes, monitor lizards and other wildlife there.  We were advised though that the best time to visit is in the morning when the monkeys come down -- an amusing company to Na'vis going up the 74-steps spiral staircase to the first station, crossing the bridges and gliding down the rope back to the park gate from the last station.

Lasang is less than an hour drive from Cagayan de Oro, and the entry point is right by the roadside.  Bring your family, and go have some fun atop a green spot of Mother Earth!