The main objective of the crowdfunding campaign was to cover six months of salaries for the 33 furloughed frontliners. Additional funds were allocated to provide food packs for all the 59 frontliners during their 22-day shifts and to procure essential patrolling gear and equipment. 

As a result, the solution delivered outputs that improved the patrolling conditions and protection of the tamaraws, generating long-term, sustainable impacts that persisted beyond the campaign period.

Specifically, the gear and equipment procured included:

• 1 global positioning system (GPS) device;
• 4 devices for patrolling and wildlife recording;
• 6 camping cook sets;
• 4 hammocks/tents;
• 10 sets of first aid kits and medical supplies;
• 2 camera traps;
• 75 reusable thermal blankets;
• 75 patrol gear sets (uniforms, waterproof backpack, and aquaflask);
• 75 portable solar lamps with mobile charger.

To support the crowdfunding campaign, the organization Philippine Parks and Biodiversity launched the Tamaraw Society initiative in July 2020. 

Philippine Parks and Biodiversity is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to conserving the country's biodiversity through multistakeholder partnerships, ranging from grassroot communities to the private sector. 

The Tamaraw Society consisted of a group of organizations and individuals, mostly from younger generations, who committed to running their own fundraising activities to support the crowdfunding campaign with at least USD 400 each (PHP 20,000 at the time). The 19 participants, referred to as champions, collectively raised USD 7,789 (PHP 389,450). They conducted activities such as online raffles of film cameras, online selling of secondhand clothes, auction of digital artworks, and merchandise sales such as tamaraw tote bags and shirts

The crowdfunding campaign maintained a strong presence on traditional and social media. Daily posts were tailored to strengthen the business case for donations, highlighting key events such as a tamaraw killed by poachers, Tamaraw Month, and the death of the last captive-bred tamaraw, Kalibasib. By leveraging a mix of media platforms, the campaign reached both national and international audiences and engaged diverse age groups. 

Social media releases on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn were reposted and shared by BIOFIN Global and Philippines (including promoted posts), UNDP Philippines, and various accounts associated with the DENR. Moreover, a national Tamaraw Ambassadors program was launched on social media, engaging public figures to promote the campaign. These communication strategies effectively reached the general public within and beyond the Philippines.

Traditional media also supported the campaign, with coverage from reputable news networks like Stand for Truth and GMA Digital Specials. Press releases and media pick-ups generated an estimated media value of USD 70,000 (PHP 3.4 million) as of September 2020.

Lastly, a promotion email was sent to over 2,000 individuals through the BIOFIN global mailing, targeting a specialized audience of professionals and partners in the biodiversity sector.

The protected area management authority adheres to a people-centered development philosophy, aiming to meet the growing needs of the public for a better life. By actively engaging with community members, fostering emotional connections, and contributing to local socioeconomic development, the authority has worked to address gaps in public services and infrastructure, as well as organize community activities. It assists communities in solving practical problems, such as providing daytime care services for the elderly and medical services for residents. As a result, the sense of identity and belonging among community members toward the protected area has steadily increased, leading to their active participation in conservation, decision-making, operations, education, and oversight activities. These efforts have driven continuous progress in community development initiatives.

The management authority has devised various methods to involve community residents in the construction and management of the protected area, primarily through the following approaches: (1) Participation in daily patrols and law enforcement. Nearly 100 local residents have been employed as full-time rangers to assist in protection patrols; (2) The Wudalianchi Town Government regularly holds meetings with town representatives and organizes seminars to discuss issues such as area management, public security maintenance, and public awareness campaigns; (3) Establishing and implementing a socialized management mechanism for river, lake, forest, and farmland chiefs, fully mobilizing public participation in daily conservation; (4) Encouraging volunteer services.

By developing high-quality mineral water products, expanding health and wellness tourism, and enhancing eco-tourism experiences, Wudalianchi has pioneered effective pathways to transform "green mountains into gold mountains".

With support from national poverty alleviation policies and funding, the reserve management authority has collaborated with local governments, village committees, the protected area joint committee, and rural conservation organizations. Through resource consolidation, mining rights processing, brand acquisitions, and enterprise integration, they have successfully revitalized local industries.

According to preliminary statistics, in 2022: (1) The mineral water industry generated approximately 50 million yuan in revenue; (2) Health and wellness tourism brought in 15.6 million yuan; (3) Homestay businesses earned 20 million yuan.

In 2023, socioeconomic progress accelerated significantly: (1) Regional GDP grew by 6%; (2) Total retail sales rose by 6%; (3) Tourist visits and comprehensive tourism revenue both surged by 57.7%.

Step 3 – Tactical Growth

The ROS – Recreation Opportunity Spectrum is a tool that classifies opportunities for tourism and recreation by measuring the degree of intervention across three attributes: Biophysical, Sociocultural, and Management. Based on these indicators, it defines five Classes of Experiences: Pristine, Natural, Semi-natural, Ruralized, and Urbanized.

By combining the vocation of the area with these classes, managers can design a gradient of opportunities, ranging from sites with maximum naturalness, minimal human presence, and very low visitation (Pristine class), to areas with extensive infrastructure, altered landscapes, high accessibility, and strong human interaction (Urbanized class).

Using ROS allows planners to shape the Ecotourism Program by defining:

1. Zoning
2. Classes of Experiences
3. Environments
4. Activities
5. Infrastructure
6. Services
7. Regulations

This tactical step translates the strategic vision into concrete management choices, ensuring that ecotourism development is diversified, coherent, and aligned with conservation priorities and visitor expectations.

Step 2 – Strategic Definition
With the Tourism Attractiveness Index defined, it becomes possible to set the fundamental principles and establish the foundations that will guide the entire development of the project. The main goal at this stage is to understand the vocation of the area and strengthen its positioning in the tourism market. This includes learning how to design authentic and memorable experiences for visitors, with a focus on enchantment, recreation, and environmental interpretation.

The process involves defining which Recreational Opportunities are most suitable and what types of Experiences should be prioritized to align with both conservation goals and visitor expectations. The principles of Environmental Interpretation are essential here, as they ensure that experiences are meaningful, educational, and engaging.

In practical terms, this step requires:

1. Analyzing the challenges and opportunities of the area;
2. Creating a shared vision of the desired future;
3. Defining the main visitor segments and profiles to be targeted.

By aligning vocation, opportunities, and interpretation, this step builds the strategic foundation for sustainable ecotourism.

Step 1 – General Assessment
The success of an Ecotourism Project depends on the characteristics of the area and the context in which it is located. The Tourism Attractiveness Index (IAT) is the tool you will use to characterize your area and its context, that is, the Tourist Destination. This characterization will allow you to conduct a supply and demand analysis and understand your current and potential tourism attractiveness, which can vary along a scale.

By understanding your attractiveness and the factors that influence it, you will be able to define strategies to increase or better qualify it, and thus:

– Define or diversify your visitor profile
– Receive or increase the number of visits
– Add value and improve average visitor spending
– Improve seasonality

This building block outlines how the SPARŚA Ambassador Program engages adult community members in open, respectful, and evidence-based discussions on menstruation. The approach prioritises dialogue over lecture, creating a space where participants can share their beliefs, practices, and lived experiences, while also receiving accurate information. 

Target groups are identified by Ambassadors themselves or in collaboration with ward offices, municipalities, or metropolitan authorities. These often include mothers’ groups, women’s collectives, youth clubs, and mixed community gatherings. Trusted groups like Ama Samuha or Tole Sudhar Samiti are engaged early to help mobilise participants and endorse the sessions, which greatly enhances credibility and attendance. 

Sessions are adapted to the context and needs of adults. Rather than delivering the same content as in schools, Ambassadors focus on myth-busting, stigma reduction, and practical menstrual health knowledge. This includes clarifying biological facts, discussing hygienic practices, exploring environmentally friendly menstrual products, and addressing social norms that restrict women’s and girls’ mobility, participation, or dignity during menstruation. 

Ambassadors begin by establishing safe space agreements and inviting participants to share their own perspectives through Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The facilitator listens actively, acknowledges local knowledge, and then uses visual aids, product demonstrations, and relatable stories to fill knowledge gaps or correct misinformation. Nutrition and self-care during menstruation are also discussed, linking health to overall well-being. 

Preparation is thorough: Ambassadors coordinate with the programme team for materials, set session dates with local leaders, arrange venues in accessible and comfortable locations, and ensure a variety of menstrual products are available for demonstration. Follow-up visits or recurring discussions are encouraged to reinforce learning and track changes in attitudes.