Makiling Botanic Gardens

Makiling Botanic Gardens is a 300-hectare botanical garden located on the lower slopes of Mount Makiling within the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus in Los Baños, Laguna. Established in 1963 and managed by the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, it serves as a center for plant conservation, research and education. The garden features diverse native and exotic plant collections, forested trails along Molawin Creek, and facilities for nature study and recreation.

Visitors can expect a forested botanical garden setting on the foothills of Mount Makiling with shaded trails, creek-side paths along Molawin Creek, and landscaped collections of native dipterocarps, palms, aroids, ferns, orchids and medicinal plants. Areas to explore include the arboretum, nursery, orchidarium, and interpretive trails with labeled plant specimens. The environment is cool and humid under forest canopy, suitable for leisurely walks, photography, birdwatching and educational tours.

Established in 1963 by the UPLB College of Forestry (now College of Forestry and Natural Resources) as a teaching and research facility and plant conservation center on Mount Makiling. It was developed to showcase Philippine flora, support forestry education, and serve as a field laboratory for botany and ecology within the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve.

Serves as an important educational, scientific and recreational site for students, researchers and visitors, promoting awareness of Philippine plant diversity, forest conservation and the natural heritage of Mount Makiling. It is a key component of the UPLB campus and Mount Makiling Forest Reserve experience.