HOW we care for mother earth or our environment can be manifestly seen around and in well-angled photographs.It is how the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, Provincial Environment and Management Office, (PEMO), and the Camera Club of Negros Occidental (CCN) marked the 30th Provincial Environment Month launched at SM City Bacolod on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, II led the celebration along with Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio, PEM officer, Engineer Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, OIC-PENR Office, , Camera Club of Negros president Renzi Juarez, SM City mall Manager George Jardiolin along with the staff members of the PEMO Division and other section heads.Diaz lauded PEMO for giving the provincial government the reason to celebrate the environment month.He said that no less than Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is giving priority to the preservation and conservation of the environment and fully supports initiatives that uphold its healthy state.“If our success in the wetlands of Negros Occidental is indicative of our dedication, yet, you will see that there is more to follow. There is more reason for us to celebrate the love that we have for Mother Earth,” he said.Diaz urged everyone to stop looking at the stars, instead, start looking within and those around us and from what we have now, saying, “we should build a better Negros Occidental.”For his part, Gerangaya said “life is full of uncertainty and it’s a good thing that we wake up every morning and get ready to champion causes like this.Meanwhile, Juarez said that they are delighted to be part of the province’s month-long celebration.“Our exhibit today which is a collaboration among government agencies and our club which is a private organization and the oldest existing camera club in the province, CCN is proud to be part of a milestone, this first photo exhibit that involves environmental conservation,” he said.Juares stressed that photography, along with writings and studies of scholars and inspired individuals, will always be a powerful tool to educate, inspire, and propel conservation efforts worldwide.He said that their experience shooting the province’s wetlands was very immersive and invaluable because not only did it allow them to capture the essence of the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Areas, but they themselves also got educated along the way.“We are thankful to all the people in PEMO who helped us during the shoot (but) our only complaint was that time was too short for us, (so), we hope we can go back and shoot again with your help,” Juares added.He specifically mentioned the Kabankalan mangrove area where they failed to visit because of a heavy downpour.Juares noted that they have the ridge-to-reef project that they can be a part of, and this time they will explore the mountain ranges of Negros, and the beautiful coral reefs of the island as well.He told the CCN members that hopefully activities like this continue to provide more meaning to their hobby which is photography.On behalf of the SM City management, Jardiolin said the first day of June is timely for the launch of this photo exhibit on wildlife and ecosystems that kicked off the 30th Provincial Environment Month.“We have noted vital accomplishments of our Provincial and Local Government units over the years particularly the restoration of the ecosystems, from mangroves and forests and even urban settings,” he said.