Dr. Jayson Ibanez

 Dr. Jayson Ibanez

Environmental Conservationist

For nearly three decades, Dr. Jayson Ibanez has devoted his life to protecting one of the Philippines’ most powerful symbols — the critically endangered Philippine eagle — and the forests that sustain it. A conservation biologist of international standing, Dr. Ibanez’s career reflects a rare blend of rigorous science, community engagement, and deep personal integrity rooted in his hometown of Bayambang, Pangasinan.

Dr. Ibanez has spent 27 years studying and conserving the Philippine eagle, the country’s national bird and a key indicator of forest health. Since 2012, he has served as Director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), a non-profit, non-governmental organization at the forefront of wildlife research and conservation. As PEF’s chief scientist, he has led field research projects across the country and successfully secured more than 40 conservation grants to support long-term biodiversity initiatives. Alongside his NGO work, he has been shaping future scientists as a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines Mindanao and an Adjunct Professor at UP Los Baños.

A graduate of UP Los Baños and Ateneo de Davao University, Dr. Ibanez earned his PhD in Natural Resource Management from Charles Darwin University in Australia through an Australian Leadership Award scholarship. His academic and field work has produced landmark contributions to conservation science. He pioneered the systematic, long-term study of Philippine eagle home range, survival, and habitat use using radio, satellite, and GPS/GSM telemetry—tracking 26 eagles with state-of-the-art technology. This work significantly expanded scientific understanding of the species and culminated in a paper published in the prestigious journal Animal Conservation, which now serves as a blueprint for the national species action plan for the Philippine eagle.

Equally influential is his PhD research on knowledge integration and indigenous planning, which laid the foundation for PEF’s “culture-based conservation” approach. This model promotes fair, meaningful, and respectful engagement with indigenous communities and has become a benchmark for inclusive conservation in the Philippines. Through this approach, conservation is not imposed but shared — anchored in local knowledge, traditions, and stewardship.

Dr. Ibanez’s work has earned both national and international recognition. He received the Biodiversity Recognition Award from the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau in 2015, the Bronze Award from the BP Conservation Programme, and honors from the Yale International Society of Tropical Foresters. He is also a recipient of the Whitley Fund for Nature awards — often called the “Green Oscars” — which recognize conservation leaders making real-world impact through science and grassroots action. His story and work have reached wider audiences through documentaries by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, international wildlife filmmakers, and national media.

Beyond awards, the true measure of Dr. Ibanez’s contribution lies in its impact on public welfare. By protecting eagle habitats, his work safeguards forests that serve as watersheds, carbon sinks, and natural defenses against disasters — while sustaining the livelihoods of upland communities. His conservation efforts directly support climate change mitigation, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable development.

As an educator, public speaker, and mentor, Dr. Ibanez inspires young Filipinos to pursue science, service, and nation-building. He has co-authored at least 36 scientific papers and written dozens of popular articles that bring conservation issues closer to the public. His commitment to service is further reflected in innovative community programs such as forest guard initiatives that provide income to poor uplanders, and youth engagement programs that train out-of-school youth and young professionals as conservation workers.

Humble, principled, and people-centered, Dr. Jayson Ibanez carries with him the values he learned growing up in Bayambang — respect for others, a strong moral compass, and a commitment to the common good. Whether in remote forests or international forums, he remains a quiet but steadfast champion of nature and people, proving that meaningful change is built through science, compassion, and service.