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The following projects were approved by Seacology’s Board of Directors at their January 17, 2009 meeting:
COOK ISLANDS, Manihiki Atoll - Purchase of two UV water purification units and pump system including spare parts in exchange for the creation of a 72-acre marine reserve for a duration of 30 years. Manihiki is a small atoll in the Northern Cook Islands, approximately 550 miles north of the capital Rarotonga. The extremely low-lying atoll has a population of 400 persons living on the two inhabited islands. As is common with small isolated communities, water is of a major concern on Manihiki, where their only source of potable water is rainwater stored in tanks. Due to prolonged periods of storage, this water can become contaminated and poses a health risk. The people of Manihiki would like assistance in the purchase of two ultra violet water purifying units and pump systems - one for each village - with spare parts. In exchange for this funding, Manihiki will declare 72 acres of their lagoon as a marine reserve for a duration of 30 years.
INDIA, Kavarathi Island, Lakshadweep archipelago – Construction of an
environmental education center in exchange for the establishment of a 500-acre marine protected area for a duration of 10 years. The Lakshadweep archipelago lies in the Arabian Sea at a distance of 155 to 280 miles from the west coast of India. Lakshadweep is considered the smallest Union Territory of India with a population of approximately 60,000 people inhabiting 11 of the 36 islands. Karavathi is the capital and the most centrally located island in the archipelago, with a land area of approximately nine acres and a permanent population of 10,119. The reefs and lagoons of Kavarathi are under severe anthropogenic threats, namely increased lagoon fishing, waste release to lagoons and increasing tourism activities. Lakshadweep Marine Research and Conservation Centre (LMRCC) is a local organization committed to conservation and sustainable development of Lakshadweep’s coral reef ecosystems. LMRCC has requested support from Seacology to construct an environmental education center. In exchange, the local community will set aside 500 acres of Kayaratti Lagoon as a marine reserve, where marine species will be protected for a minimum duration of 10 years.
INDIA, Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep archipelago – Construction of a natural and cultural heritage museum and two guard posts in exchange for the establishment of a 2,471-acre marine and mangrove protected area. The Lakshadweep archipelago lies in the Arabian Sea at a distance of 155 to 280 miles from the west coast of India. Minicoy is the southernmost island of the Lakshadweep archipelago, with a total population of approximately 10,000. It is the only island in Lakshadweep that supports mangroves and salt marsh ecosystems. The Centre for Action Research on Environment Science and Society (CARESS) is working in partnership with Minicoyans to revive traditional management systems for protecting the reefs and lagoon. Minicoyan leaders have committed to creating a no-take marine protected area for a minimum of 10 years, encompassing a 2,471-acre marine area and mangrove ecosystem. In exchange, Seacology will build a natural and cultural heritage museum, as well as two guard posts for the marine protected area.
INDONESIA, Pulau Banyak Islands, North Sumatra - Soccer fields for Teluk Nibung Village and Ujung Sialit Village, community meeting hall for Pulau Balai Village, and storm gutters for Suka Makmur Village in exchange for a total of 1,924 acres of protected land and marine habits for a duration of 10 years. Pulau Banyak (“Many Islands”) is a cluster of about 40 islands located 4.5 hours by boat off the western coast of North Sumatra in the special autonomous region of Aceh. The islands support a population of 7,000 people, all of whom live within seven villages on only three of the islands. Four of the seven villages in Pulau Banyak propose the creation of no-take areas in their respective jurisdictions, which will be regulated by Hukum Adat Kampong (village traditional law). In Desa Teluk Nibung Seacology will fund a soccer field in exchange for protection of 1,008 acres of coral reef and 12 acres of forest for a duration of 10 years; in Desa Pulai Balai, Seacology will fund reconstruction of village youth meeting hall in exchange for protection of 217 acres of coral reef and five acres of adjoining land for a duration of 10 years; in Desa Suka Makmur Seacology will fund concrete gutters in exchange for protection of 94 acres of forest, 106 acres of mangrove forest and 114 acres of marine area; and in Desa Ujung Sialit, Seacology will fund a soccer field in exchange for protection of 326 acres of coral and seagrass, and 42 acres of mangrove forest.
PALAU, Ngaremlengui State, Babeldaob Island - Construction of a covered bridge, welcome center and three smaller foot bridges in support of protecting the 2,176-acre Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve in perpetuity. The Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve is located in Ngaremlengui State on the east side of Babeldaob Island. The reserve encompasses the Ngarmeskang River, one of Palau’s largest waterways, which flows into Ngaremeduu Bay, a Biosphere Reserve since 2006. The Ngarmeskang River and Ngaremeduu Bay are among the areas of highest endemism and biodiversity in Palau. Fifteen of Palau’s 16 restricted range or endemic birds are resident at the Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve. The forest along the Ngarmesang River is also important habitat for the two native bats (Marianas fruit bat and the sheath-tail bat), which are Palau’s only native terrestrial mammals. The state would like to improve the trail to the waterfall on the Ngarmeskang River as part of the larger plan to develop ecotourism in the area, which could bring much-needed revenue to the state and local community. In exchange for the conservation of the Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve in perpetuity, the people of Ngaremlengui State have requested funding for a combined covered bridge and welcome center and three small foot bridges to reduce environmental impact, increase eco-tourism income and improve the trail through the reserve.
SAMOA, Falealupo Village, Savaii – Construction of aluminum tower for the Falealupo Rainforest Canopy Walkway. The aerial rainforest canopy walkway at Falealupo Village, on the island of Savaii, in Samoa has been one of Seacology’s most prominent ecotourism projects. The rainforest walkway has been listed in nearly every guidebook on Samoa, and has been visited by thousands of tourists. All revenues from the walkway are returned to the village. The walkway currently consists of a wooden tour that rises about 10 meters, a stainless steel swinging span of about 50 meters, which connects to a large banyan tree, and then a series of stairways and observations platforms within the banyan which extend to a height of about 75 meters above the forest. However, the walkway was closed in February 2008 when rot was found in the wooden tower. Seacology will fund the replacement of the wooden tower with a specially designed aluminum tower which is stronger, and which should last for 30 to 40 years. *
SEYCHELLES, Cousin Island – Signage and composting toilets for the Cousin Island Special Reserve. The Seychelles archipelago is composed of 50 coralline and 40 granitic islands in the Indian Ocean, and has a population of 80,000. Cousin Island is a granitic island covering 67 acres. It became the world’s first internationally-owned reserve when it was purchased in 1968 by the International Council for the Protection of Birds (now Birdlife International). The objective was to save the last of the Seychelles warblers. The island, formerly a coconut plantation, was afforded further protection in 1974, when it was designated a Special Reserve. It is significant not only for sea birds and endemic land birds, but also as the most important breeding site for Hawksbill turtles in the Western Indian Ocean. Today, Cousin Island is managed by Nature Seychelles. The island attracts some 10,000 visitors per year, as well as catering to local educational groups and residents. To mitigate the effect of staff and visitors to the island, Nature Seychelles is undertaking a project to implement integrated, environmentally-friendly utilities such as clean energy, rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment. Seacology will fund one aspect of this project, eight composting toilets, in addition to funding signage to enhance the experience of visitors to the island.
SEYCHELLES, Mahe Island – Refurbishment of the Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles visitors center at Roche Caiman in support of a 7.5-acre reclaimed wetland. The Seychelle Archipelago is composed of 50 coralline and 40 granitic islands in the Indian Ocean, and has a population of 80,000. The Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles (WCS), a NGO for young people, was formed in 1994 to promote conservation action through environmental education. 8,445 children in 40 clubs in most schools around the Seychelles are members of WCS. WCS works to implement educational programs and experience-based learning to create a sustainable future, with an emphasis on “hilltop to ocean” ecosystem management. The Centre for Environment and Education attracts a steady stream of visitors per year with approximately 50 school groups as well as other community groups. Adjacent to the garden, Nature Seychelles and WCS have collaboratively designed a 7.5-acre wetland area, the Sanctuary at Roche Caiman. Species protected at the wetland include fresh water turtles, the endemic killifish, mud and water crabs, skinks and lizards, 11 of the Seychelles’ 18 dragonfly species, and many migratory bird species. To better accommodate the growing number of visitors to the Centre, Seacology will fund improvements to the Centre including a redesign of the exhibition hall, displays regarding different ecosystems, a library corner, art section, audio-visual equipment and more in support of the 7.5-acre reclaimed wetland. *
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation