Reimaanlok, a conservation plan for the future of the Marshall Islands

12 July 2012, Bucharest, Romania - Reimaanlok, the Marshall Islands Conservation Plan is proposed to under review this year.  Established in 2007, a year after the Marshall Islands signed on to the Micronesia Challenge, the plan is a guide to help the island nation meet their part of the commitment.

 The Micronesia Challenge aims to effectively conserve 30% of nearshore marine and 20% of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.  Reimaanlok maps the course of actions to be taken by Marshall Islands, to establish and manage community-based conservation areas.

The Marshall Islands Conservation Plan was featured at the Oceania side event at the 11^th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

“We use the Reimaanlok to guide us in our work.  A key part of the vision of this plan is to ensure we have a community based approach to nature conservation,” presented Ms. Olai Uludong, Chief Coastal and Land Management Division of the RMI Environmental Management Authority

“We always try to work with the community as much as possible because if the actions are community driven, then there is community ownership.”

Ms. Olai Uludong presenting the Reimaanlok

It is envisages that when the plan goes into review that it is hoped that , the findings will help them understand just how successful the actions have been under the guidance of the Reimaanlok and how close they are to achieving the Micronesia Challenge.

To fully understand the challenges faced by the Marshall Islands in implementing their conservation plans, an understanding of the islands geographical features helps. 

The Marshall Islands consists of 29 atolls with 5 solitary islands.  It comprises 1,2225 individual islands and islands and has an Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million Km², less that 0.01% of this, is land.  

Threats to their nature conservation range from overfishing to urban development and pollution to the nuclear history, to the loss of traditional conservation purposes. 

The Ramsar Wetland site of International Importance is based on one of the large coral atolls, the Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area it comprises 91 islets with a land area of 700 hectares enclosing a large lagoon.   

There are plans to propose a second Ramsar Wetland of international importance, the Namdrik Atoll.  Here at the 11^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, the Marshall Islands, the island nation sought support to help expand their wetlands conservation areas.

“We’re here because we can’t conserve on our own anymore, we do have our traditional knowledge and skills for conservation but at this particular point we need technical assistance, we need financial resources, capacity building and knowledge, I think this is where we can try and achieve those and tap into the opportunities presented at these conferences.  We want to nominate more Ramsar sites.”

At this meeting the Marshall Islands will relinquish their position on the Standing committee and welcome Fiji in to this role to represent Oceania.

The 11th Conference of the Parties on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is held in Romania from 6 -13 July.  The Marshall Islands are contracting parties to the convention along with Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. 

The Micronesia Challenge showcased in Romania

12 July 2012, Bucharest, Romania - The Micronesia Challenge was featured at the 11^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands in Romania.  

An Oceania side event showcased the Challenge which was signed in 2006.  It commits the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Marianas and Palau to effectively conserve 30% near-shore marine resources and 20% terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020. 

“Known more on a regional level than it is on a national level so it is a challenge to get the local communities to know more about the challenge,” said Pua Michael, the Ramsar National Focal Point of Palau.

“We need to do more work to promote the Micronesia Challenge within our own countries and communities.”

So successful has the awareness work been on a regional and international level that it has catalyzed efforts such as the Caribbean Challenge and the Coral Triangle.  It has also drawn huge interest from donors and partners.

As part of this commitment each island nation is responsible for raising funds to help bring this challenge into fruition, known as the Micronesia Challenge Endowment Fund.  FSM has since raised 2.2 million dollars, the Marshall Islands has raised 2.3 million dollars and Palau has raised 6.1 million dollars. 

To date over USD 27 million has also been raised through different opportunities and partners such as the LifeWeb, The Packard Foundation, Global Environment Facility and the Nature Conservation and Conservation International. 

Ms. Pua Micheal, presenting on the Micronesia Challenge

“While awareness of the Micronesia Challenge may not be so strong in Palau, communities do understand the importance of nature conservation, it’s our way of life in Palau.  We’re already working to save our wetlands and terrestrial areas at the national level - this has been ingrained into us as part of the Palauan culture.” 

Palau has a Protected Area Network which was put into place before the Micronesia Challenge this is a number of Protected Areas throughout Palau which are eligible for funds under the Green Fee if there is a management plan in place.   These Protected Areas are managed by the local community of Palau and the efforts will go towards achieving Palau’s commitment to the Micronesia Challenge.

The next steps will see Palau carry out their marine monitoring protocol which measures how effective the Marine Protected areas are managed.  Preparations are still underway to finalise the Terrestrial monitoring protocol in Palau.

Palau is a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands along with Australia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.  The 11^th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is held in Romania, 6 – 13 July.

5 minutes with....

Nauru

Tyrone Deiye

Environment Policy Officer

Nauru.



Q.  What are the key issues for Nauru at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?

For us mainly it is to keep abreast with the sustainable land management issues because at the moment we are finalising our National Action Plan for this.  Land degradation is a big issue for Nauru due to the phosphate mining and we need to integrate this issue in the work that is being done by the environment service to put plans and policies in place for sustainable development. 

Q. Why is it important for Nauru to be a party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?

A key objective of the Convention is to address land degradation.  That is a big issue for us we need to keep informed of the connected issues and the ways to mobilize funds for us to address this a national level.

Q.  What does Nauru hope to get out of this 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification? 
We want to be more acquainted with the issues at this COP but we also want to unite with the Pacific and give our region a stronger voice at this meeting.

The Marshall Islands

Mr. Warwick Harris

Deputy Director

Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination

Marshall Islands

Q.  What are the key issues for the Marshall Islands at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?

A.  This is a fine opportunity to align our National Action Plan to the UNCCD ten year strategy, for which discussions are taking place on at this COP.  Yesterday we met with the Global Mechanism and talked about the integrated finance strategy process.  We would like to align our sustainable finance plan for the Micronesia Challenge with the ten year strategy and the integrated finance strategy of the UNCCD.

Q. Why is it important for the Marshall Islands to be a party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?

For the Marshall Islands one key cause of land degradation amongst others is coastal erosion and one of the reasons we are a party to this convention is to take advantage of every opportunity to develop our capacity to mitigate against droughts and coastal erosion.

Q.  What does the Marshall Islands hope to get out of this 10^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?  
We’d like guidance as to how we can align our current sustainable finance plan under the Micronesia Challenge with the UNCCD Integrated Financial Strategy.  I think that will be a start to us receiving financial support and assistance for this regional initiative under the UNCCD.

Notes:

The Micronesia Challenge is a shared commitment to conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020

The Global Mechanism (GM) is a specialised institution, dedicated to supporting developing countries to increase investments into Sustainable Land Management in order to help reverse, control and prevent land degradation and desertification.

Bionesian bites

Ms. Easter Galuvao, SPREP

Aichi Biodiversity Targets on the Pacific Biodiversity Agenda

16 May Nadi Fiji - The agenda for the one week also includes the Strategic Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the “Aichi Target”, the new global plan to save the biodiversity of the world and includes a number of ambitious targets.  This includes a commitment to halve, and where feasible, bring close to zero the loss of natural habitats and also to protect 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10% of marine areas. Also included are measures to control invasive species and to increase awareness of the values of biodiversity.

It is important to note that there will be additional opportunities for training workshops which will be provided by the CBD Secretariat.

“The targets are within our reach as the Pacific region has worked diligently to protect our unique biodiversity.  The “Aichi Target” will help us strengthen our conservation work across the Pacific,” said Easter Galuvao, SPREP’s Biodiversity Adviser.

“We can boast the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) in Kiribati - the largest marine protected area on earth - now a World Heritage Site.  In our Pacific region we also have the Micronesia Challenge, a commitment by the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam and the Northern Marianas to conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.”

On Tuesday a panel from the Micronesia Trust Fund will share their experience in planning to implement the outcomes of the CBD COP 10 in Nagoya.

Nagoya Protocol – Access and Benefits Sharing

Participants at the Pacific Biodiversity meeting in Fiji

16 May Nadi Fiji - The implications of the Nagoya Protocol on the Pacific islands will be discussed during the 5 day meeting on Pacific biodiversity currently underway in Fiji.  This Protocol covers the access to genetic to resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use.  The Nagoya Protocol is forecast to be in force by 2015.

It ensures that balanced access to genetic resources on the basis of prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms.  The Nagoya Protocol also ensures the fair and equitable sharing of benefits while taking into account the important role of traditional knowledge. 

As an example, and hypothetically, if a pharmaceutical company from Switzerland discovered a plant in the Solomon Islands which could lead to a drug which cured cancer, then that company would now be obliged to share the profits arising with the country.

“The adoption of this protocol will help ensure equity and fairness in the sharing of the profits made by the developed world from the biodiversity resources of the developing world in the small island developing states.  The next step is for the Pacific island countries and territories to sign up to the Protocol when they are ready and if they agree with it,” said Easter Galuvao, SPREP's Biodiversity Adviser.

The Global Environment Facility has offered financial support to assist with the early entry into force of this Protocol.

Notes:The meeting is held from 16 – 20 May at the Tanoa Hotel in Nadi, Fiji.
Participants are from the Cook Islands, Timor Leste, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI), IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WWF South Pacific Programme, University of the South Pacific.

Polynesia, Melanesia challenged

The Pacific Voyage Media Team, 27 October, Nagoya Japan -

 L - R Kate Brown, Willy Kostka, Robert Weary, Jason Spensely

“There is nothing to stop Polynesia or Melanesia doing exactly the same thing working together with Micronesia on a similar type of initiative. It’s really going to come from within the countries themselves” - Kate Brown Coordinator Global Island Partnership

The Micronesian Challenge is a shining example of a growing movement around the world to protect marine resources, vital to everyday life.  And Micronesia’s friends in the South Pacific, Polynesians and Melanesians, have been invited to join.

Speaking during a press conference at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 10) in Nagoya, Japan, Willy Kostka, of the Micronesia Conservation Trust, said there has been some interest from Polynesia, especially Samoa.

“We have provided information about the Micronesian Challenge to our colleagues in the South,” he said.

“I think there is interest in Samoa and American Samoa to do what’s called the two Samoa initiative and one of the things we’re going to be doing as part of our work with the Pacific islands management protected community is to increase that interest by providing more information.”

Mr Kostka said the is a grant available which will allow for the exchange of information between the two Samoas and the Micronesia region so they can start the two Samoa initiative.

At the press conference, achievements for the Micronesian and Caribbean Challenges were highlighted. They include:
• Recognition of the Caribbean Challenge’s Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, a US$40 million regional endowment created as part of the 8 country Caribbean Challenge;
• The leadership, financing and partnerships for implementation which have seen significant progress since 2006 in the Micronesia Challenge, a five country protected areas and livelihoods commitment.
• Efforts towards a Western Indian Ocean Partnership at COP 10 involving the East Coast of African and the islands of the Western Indian Ocean.

Mr Kostka said the Micronesian Challenge was inspired by Fiji’s declaration that 25 per cent of their marine resources would come under effective management. 

“But because Fiji was just one nation, maybe they didn’t get as much exposure,” he said. “Perhaps if they had collaborated with nations of the South Pacific in Polynesia and Melanesia, they could get more profile for their initiatives there.”

Kate Brown, Coordinator of the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA), said the Micronesian and Caribbean challenges have political leadership and momentum behind them. This has come about because “political leaders have really realised that this is really important particularly in terms of livelihoods in their countries.

“So it’s much, much bigger than programmes or projects that currently happen between countries.  There is nothing to stop Polynesia or Melanesia doing exactly the same thing working together with Micronesia on a similar type of initiative. It’s really going to come from within the countries themselves.”

Rob Weary, of the Nature Conservancy, Caribbean Programme, agrees.
 “The countries have stepped forward and identified what their financial needs are to meet these goals that they have set for themselves,” he said.  “They have gone beyond what the initial CBD goal was of 10 percent realising their livelihoods depend on it.”

Jason Spensley, Life Web programme officer, applauded the initiatives.
“One of the most exciting things about these challenges is the fact these aren’t just relatively isolated challenges in corners of the world but this really is increasingly becoming a movement,” he said.

“There is a challenge in the Indian Ocean, Western Africa is talking about a challenge, so this is a movement we truly see as catalyzing the implementation of the convention in general and I think it is truly and inspirational prospect for the convention.”

The Micronesia Challenge is a commitment by the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands to preserve the natural resources that are crucial to the survival of Pacific traditions, cultures and livelihoods.

The overall goal of the Challenge is to effectively conserve at least 30 per cent of the near-shore marine resources and 20 per cent of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.  The challenge exceeds goals which call for countries to conserve 10 per cent of terrestrial and marine resources.

The Micronesian Challenge was celebrated during an Island Fiesta at the Asahi Tent Expo Area last night, at the Nagoya Congress Centre. The event was attended by Pacific leaders at COP 10.

FSM seeks capacity building opportunities at Nagoya talks

The Pacific Voyage Media Team, 25 October 2010 Nagoya Japan

L - R - FSM delegation Willie Kostka, with Bernadette Carreon, Cytha Ehmes and Ricky Karl

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) depend on their natural resources, making their attendance at the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 10) essential.

FSM comprises the four states – Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae and contains over 1,000 plant species for which at least 200 are endemic species.  Its coral reefs, estimated at 14, 517km2 are home to nearly 1,000 species of fish and over 350 hard species of coral.

“While the nation may not have specific issues here at the Nagoya talks,” said FSM’s Ricky Carl, “it is working with aligning itself with organizations that will be of assistance in Capacity building.”

It is important for FSM to work towards achieving the goals of the Micronesian Challenge , an initiative  to effectively conserve at least 30% of their nearshore marine resources and 20% of their terrestrial resources by 2020.

Although each state is unique in making sure the initiative targets are met, it is well on its way of meeting 10 percent of its terrestrial targets and 15 percent marine targets.

He notes that FSM is well known for conserving protected areas but this effort is due to the customary laws and traditions to sustain biodiversity.

The issues of protected areas are also linked with invasive species and climate change which affect the small island nations such as FSM.

“We are learning that in order to protect and manage protected areas we have to deal with the invasive species issues and climate change,” Karl states.

Karl emphasizes that FSM also needs to do its part of ensuring that it complies with the CBD targets that focus on marine protected areas.

“Most of the community depends on the marine areas for livelihood and food,” he says.

As a small island nation, it too suffers from lack of financial and capacity resources to sustain its biodiversity programs making it essential to partner up with other Pacific island nations and organizations that will make their voice known.

West Indian Ocean Partnership - learning from the Micronesia Challenge

The Pacific Voyage Media Team

L-R: Seychelles Ambassador to the UN Ronald Jumeau, Joe Aitaro Palau

25 October Nagoya Japan - Nations comprising of the Western Indian Ocean are inspired by the small island countries’ Micronesian Challenge initiative which seeks to effectively conserve 30 percent of near shores resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources by 2020.

Signed by the leaders of the Marianas, Guam, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia Challenge seeks to Effectively Conserve 30% of Near Shore Resources and 20% of Terrestrial Resources by 2020.

Micronesia Challenge was first launched by 2006 by Palau which was immediately supported by the other nations and that the movement has served as an inspiration for Caribbean countries to launch a similar challenge.

Seychelles’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations HE Ambassador Ronald Jumeau during a side event says that the Micronesia Challenge is an initiative that served as an inspiration that the nations are adopting.

He states that the Western Indian Ocean nations are taking lessons from the Micronesian countries as to - “where we ought to go.”

 In 2005 then Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr.  committed his nation to preserving 30 percent of their near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of their terrestrial resources by 2020.

The initiative was then launched in 2006 and supported by the rest of the Micronesia region that agreed to match the same commitment Palau made.

Joe Aitaro, Palau’s Protected Areas Network coordinater was one of the speakers during the side event with representatives from the Western Indian Ocean countries in attendance.

‘What they wanted to hear from us was the arrangement of the initiative and what the benefits are,” Aitaro says.

He explains that one of the major points that need to be learned from the initiative is that it is a long term commitment.  Aitaro says the effort has been successful due to the head of states commitment of seeing it through.

“The leaders might have changed but the commitment is still there,” Aitaro notes.

He says that the current leaders in the Micronesian region are continually meeting to ensure its success.

Each of the five jurisdictions in the Micronesia has endorsed the Micronesia Conservation Trust as a regional finance tool to ensure that the Challenge remains sustainable.

The Micronesia Challenge represents more than 5 percent of the Pacific Ocean and 61 percent of the world’s coral species. It includes 66 threatened species, more than 1,300 species of reef fish, 85 species of birds and 1,400 species of plants — 200 of which are found only in Micronesia.

The five jurisdictions are well on their way in achieving the commitments.

Pacific Island Countries Statement:

19 October Nagoya, Japan - The following statement was prepared by the Pacific islands countries and presented at the plenary session of 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan today.

Thank you Chairman,

Vanuatu as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is making this statement on behalf of all Pacific Island Parties.

The Pacific Island Parties, wish to congratulate you, on your appointment as the chair of this 10^th Conference of the Parties.

The Pacific Island Parties, wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation, and gratitude to the Government of Japan, and the people of Nagoya, for hosting the 10^th Conference of the Parties. Thank you for your hospitality, and thank you for the warm welcome.

The Pacific Island Parties, also wish to extend our sincere appreciation, to the Secretariat, for the excellent preparations and organization of the meeting. We look forward to the continued partnership, and collaborations with the CBD Secretariat.

Ms. Touasi Tiwok making the statement on behalf of the Pacific

Mr Chairman, the Pacific Island communities inhabit the islands scattered throughout our Pacific Ocean, which some of the most inspiring migrations in human history, have taken place, over many thousands of years. Our Pacific Ocean covers over 30% of the world’s oceans.

Our Ocean, coastal and island ecosystems, contain high biological diversity that sustains the lives of Pacific Island communities. It contains the most extensive coral reefs in the world, globally important fisheries, significant seabed mineral resources and high number of threatened species. These ecosystems may contain many undiscovered resources of potential use to humankind.

Chair, the Pacific Island Parties reaffirm, our commitment to implement the three objectives of the Convention.

This was further underscored by the Pacific Environment Ministers, in their communiqué from the recent 21 SPREP Meeting held in September 2010 in Papua New Guinea.  

The Pacific Island Parties, wish to highlight the achievements and initiatives of the Pacific toward meeting the CBD objectives through community-based and co-management approaches as well as national and regional commitments. Examples include the establishment of Locally Managed Protected Areas, the Micronesia Challenge, the Coral Triangle Initiative, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area and the inscription of some sites to the World Heritage list.

Our achievements would not be possible without the commitment of our leaders, the Pacific Islands Forum and the continued support of our development partners – the donors, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, other members of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific, non-governmental organisations and  our own Pacific communities.

To take these efforts and significant successes further, we would like to stress the inevitable need for adequate resources and the delivery of timely support to complement our Pacific actions and fully implement the objectives of the CBD, in particular, the new Strategic Plan.

                                                                                           

Chair, we cannot underscore enough, the vulnerability of Pacific Small Island Developing States in particular our biodiversity to the impacts of climate change, and wish to emphasise the critical role of biodiversity in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

We further highlight the urgent need to address the rapidly growing problem of invasive species and their impacts on our fragile island ecosystems, economies and livelihoods.

Pacific statement being made at the plenary session of the CBD COP 10

Chair, the Pacific Island  Parties invite and encourage all parties to join us at our Pacific Voyage  side event on Friday  22 October 2010 to share our experiences and lessons in conservation

In closing, the Pacific Island Parties are committed to working closely with you, and the Secretariat, and all Parties to ensure a successful outcome of these negotiations.

Palau Green fee hits the 1 million mark in less than a year

Tourists holidaying in Palau since November last year have helped raise over a million dollars for the protected areas of the territory. Palau now has 1.3 million USD from a Green fee tax that began on 1 November 2009, all of which will help conservation efforts in Palau.

There are 23 conservation sites to preserve the marine and land based environment of Palau under their protected areas network, which encompass the catchphrase for the Pacific territories’ tourism catchphrase – “Experience the Wonders.” It’s a fitting slogan as the visitors and tourists to Palau now play a role in helping the preservation of the pristine environment.

Marine Protected Area, Chelbacheb, Palau
Photo by Stuart Chape

The Green Fee is part of the 35 USD departure tax for non-Palauan passport holders to pay when leaving the territory. Of this amount 15 USD is the Green Fee that is paid into a national account managed by the Protected Area Network Fund (PANF) board of directors. Community conservation groups are now submitting applications for the 1.3 million USD which has been raised in a nine month period.

Palau has approximately 1,269 species and varieties of plants in Palau, of which 830 species are native. It has 141 species of birds of which 20 different types are endemic and it has 40 species of freshwater fish of which four are endemic.

The territory is a member of the Micronesia Challenge which is a commitment by the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam and the Northern Marians to effectively conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia, by 2020.

6.7 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean is covered by the Micronesia Challenge which represents more than 20% of the Pacific islands region. 1,300 species of fish live in the waters of Micronesia along with 60% of all known corals. On land, Micronesia combined has 85 species of birds, half of them are endemic and 1,400 species of birds for which 200 different types are endemic.’

“We have 1.3 million in a fund, which has come from the Green fee alone. Then we have the endowment which is what we have raised to make the Micronesia Challenge happen. When you combine those two figures together we have close to two million dollars,” said Joe Aitaro, the Protected Area Network Coordinator of Palau. 

“It took us almost four years to work with the community and the people, and then we had to work with our government to put this Green fee into effect and raise support for it. Now it’s done and showing good results, I am pleased! It was worth it!”

Palauan communities play a leading role in carrying out the conservation efforts for the protected areas however there are costs. The green fee came about as a solution for ongoing financing to help apply the necessary activities to keep the protected areas in the Palau network going.

Communities are to submit management plans as part of their funding application for the Board of directors to review before awarding amounts for conservation community efforts. During the planning stages it was ensured the funds would be available three months after green fee collection began. To date there are now applications before the board for six of the community conservation areas.

“I’m very happy to see that all the stakeholders have agreed to make concessions to ensure that not only will the future generations benefit from this scheme but the rest of the global community,” said Aitaro. “It’s a true testament that islanders do live in harmony with its limited resources.’”

The board is made up of two representatives from the international community that are The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, the Palau Minster of Natural Resource Environment and Tourism, Minister of Finance as well as five other members.

The regulations that govern the board are specific in that the number of government representatives should not outnumber the other members of the board, and the Minister Representatives are not able to vote as they are ex-officio members.

The Board of Directors are advised by a technical committee, their role is to review the management plan submitted by the community and provide advice to the Board about applications. The technical committee will assess the management plan and whether the community conservation group has the right personnel to carry out the activities. If the capacity is not available, the technical committee will advice other options to help this area and advise projects such as workshops or training.

"We want to make sure that the activities can be implemented properly before awarding the funds because at the end of the day we are accountable to the people who pay the 15 dollars.”

It’s the visitors to Palau over the past nine months to “Experience the Wonder” that have helped the territory succeed in their green fee initiative. If birds could talk, the 141 species in Palau would say thank you.

For more information on the Green Fee and the Protected Areas Network Fund please contact joe Aitaro at jaitaro@gmail.com