Bionesian....Pacific Biodiversity: Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa Celebrates World Ocean Day

14 June 2011, Release from Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa - Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa staff and volunteers from the Cuvu District School Environment Club potted and planted more than 300 mangrove seedlings and made two fish houses to mark World Ocean Day that was celebrated globally on Wednesday 8^th June. (Right - Marine Manager Mereoni Mataika with students from Cuvu District School Environment Club with one of the nurseries planted.)

Twenty eight students from the Cuvu Environment club were split into two groups to take part in the fun filled activities led by Marine Manager, Ms. Mereoni Mataika. The event was held over three hours with mini quizzes which saw each student going home with a prize, mangrove potting along the Yanuca eastern coast and fish house building. To end the day, the children were hosted to refreshments provided by the Resort and a prize giving ceremony for quiz winners. (Left - Volunteer Mosese Navaci with students from Cuvu District School Environment Club after making fish houses.)

“Our partnership with the Cuvu District School Environment Club is a critical one as these young people aged between 10-13 years will become future leaders in our community and in Fiji,” said Resort general manager, Michael Monks. “We will continue to support and raise awareness of the importance of looking after our environment and we will continue to encourage ongoing partnerships with our communities,” Mr Monks said. (Right - General Manager Michael Monks presenting prizes to quiz winners)

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts remain committed to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner while balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders. In striving to be a leader in corporate citizenship and sustainable development, a corporate-level CSR Committee drives the company’s initiatives in the strategic areas of stakeholder relations, environment, health and safety, supply chain and employees. Under the umbrella of SUSTAINability, Shangri-La’s social responsibility program consists of the two elements of “embrace” and “sanctuary.” Embrace focuses on Shangri-La’s Caring People Project, which aims to promote the highest level of education and health support in underprivileged communities. In sanctuary, the program concentrates on Shangri-La’s Care for Nature Project, which promotes the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. For more information, please access the CSR section on www.shangri-la.com.