Already a popular destination among locals and foreigners, the Avilon Zoo deepens its visitor experience by reinforcing its green infrastructure with a layer of biodiversity. Not that the 7.50 hectare attraction lacks in greenery, it already has a landscape that has matured over the decades into something of an enchanted forest tucked in among its many well-curated zoological exhibits of indigenous and exotic wildlife.

Long in incubation have been plans to add a palette of notable Philippine native botanic treasures to enhance the zoo. Discussions with the zoo’s president, Joaquin Gaw and the Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines Inc. [FNSPI], is re-imaging the zoo as a botanical garden as well. Since its start in 1992 and formal opening in 2004, the zoo, located in Rodriguez [formerly Montalban] in Rizal, charts a new chapter this 2020 onwards to feature the vanishing treasures of Philippine botany. By bringing these treasures closer and accessible as popular fare for a visiting public, a more populist appreciation of native Philippine botany would uncover the best of our local ethnobotany.

In a simple signing ceremony last 30 Nov 2020, Joaquin H Gaw of the Avilon Zoo and Leonor G Berroya of the FNSPI formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement [MOA]. While Avilon Zoo agrees to be the host for the Botanic Garden, FNSPI through it’s Botanic Garden Committee shall be responsible for the landscape design and technical inputs to add botanical treasures strategically located within the zoo.