MCT Projects: LifeWeb

German Government International Climate Change Initiative Funding Level 2008-2010: $1.9 million

LifeWeb International Climate Initiative Funding mechanism, sponsored by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) funded a multi year project titled:

Advancing the Micronesia Challenge Through New Protected Areas: Reducing ecosystem vulnerability to climate change and sea-level rise through a new network of resilient, locally-managed conservation areas across the islands of Micronesia (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau)

LifeWeb in Action

LifeWeb Regional Brochure

LifeWebRegionalPublicity.pdf

Funded Projects: Federated States of Micronesia

Ant Atoll Biosphere Reserve, Conservation Society of Pohnpei

A designated FSM Area of Biodiversity Significance and Priority Action Area, Ant Atoll is the closest outer island of Pohnpei. Due to its intact seabird rookery, sea turtle nesting grounds, giant clam population, significant source of fish and coral larva, and spawning aggregation site, Ant Atoll was recognized internationally as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program in 2007, and signed into FSM executive law in 2010. This privately owned atoll is co-managed between Ant Atoll Family Estate, Pohnpei State Government, and Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) with intentions to elevate local efforts to build resiliency towards climate change impacts such as food shortages, invasive species, and sea level rise. Funding administered by MCT from the German LifeWeb International Climate Initiative to CSP led to the state passing legislation, delineation of the reserve's four no take areas, conducting resource surveys, participatory management planning, eradication of invasive rats on Bird Island, and public education and awareness.

Other FSM Funded Projects:

Yela Forest Reserve, Kosrae Safety and Conservation Organization
Yela Conservation Easement, Yela Landowners Association
Epinup Mangrove Forest, Chuuk Conservation Society
Ngulu Atoll Marine Managed Area,Yap Community Action Program
Nimpal Channel Marine Conservation Area, Yap Community Action Program

Funded Projects: Republic of the Marshall Islands

Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area, RMI Environmental Protection Authority

Jaluit Atoll is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse and abundant marine atolls of the Marshall Islands. The surrounding community benefits from a highly diverse and complex lagoon, coral reef, mangrove, and littoral vegetation ecosystem. Of particular importance to the community is the mangrove ecosystem which hosts a wide range of flora and fauna, while acting as a nursery for many marine species. With funding from Pacific Regional Environment Program, the Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area (JACA) was declared in 1999, becoming the first declared conservation area in RMI. JACA was cooperatively developed by the efforts of the Jaluit atoll local government, the RMI Environmental Protection Authority (RMI-EPA) , the Jaluit Atoll Development Association, and traditional leaders and community leaders. The Conservation Area consists of several no-take areas scattered around the entire atoll, as well as a relatively large mangrove pond in Jaluit Island, which was designated as a Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance in 2005. Funding administered by MCT from the German LifeWeb International Climate Initiative to RMI-EPA and Marshall Islands Conservation Society, provided JACA with the financial resources to conduct a socio economic survey that will guide the revision of JACA's management plan, support the surveillance program and evaluate existing management.

Other RMI Funded Projects:

Ailuk Marine Protected Area, RMI Marine Resources Authority
Woja Marine Conservation Area, Marshall Island Conservation Society

Funded Projects: Republic of Palau

Babeldaob Watershed Alliance: Palau Conservation Society & The Nature Conservancy

To address threats to their water, Babeldaob's communities, with assistance from the Palau Conservation Society and The Nature Conservancy, united to form the Babeldaob Watershed Alliance (BWA). The BWA blends traditional methods of consensus, community-based action, and joint management with scientifically valid techniques. The BWA unifies island communities to jointly manage watershed, increasing resilience and decreasing threats posed by population growth, development, and climate change. The blending of community members and resource managers has led to concrete conservation results, such as the development of site-wide resource management plans that are appropriate for both the land and the people.

To assist the development of effective management plans, funding administered by MCT from the German LifeWeb enabled the BWA to implement Conservation Action Plan (CAP) tools in Babeldaob's communities. CAPs have proved to be important tools for traditional and elected leaders to better understand the consequences of deforestation and land degradation on water resources. This participatory approach to watershed management has led to the establishment of new protected areas in addition to the management plan. The BWA vision has becomes a national model for ensuring communities have continued access to clean water and healthy habitats, while promoting environmentally sustainable economic development though collaborative efforts of a diverse array of stakeholders. BWA is actively sharing its lessons with watershed counter parts in Pohnpei, FSM.

Other ROP Funded Projects:

Northern Reefs Office & Rapid Environmental Assessment, Palau International Coral Reef Center
Helen Reef Resource Management Program: Hatohobei State Government, Hatobei Organization for People and the Environment

National Action:

Geographical Information Clearinghouse Mechanism (FSM)

Geographical information clearinghouse mechanism will allow for building of a coherent national geographic information systems (GIS) data-set that is controlled for quality through metadata analysis and other means. The Clearinghouse will Integrate data from around the world so that it overlays together, allow uploading of data from stakeholders around the FSM and the world to enhance project sustainability, and allow for GIS users to download data, while others without GIS knowledge can simply type in their needs and click buttons to retrieve maps. One important component of this project is the creating of public access nodes, so that the data is not hoarded, but is shared, so that creative minds can find good ways to use it for purposes such as conserving biodiversity, hazard mitigation, or sustainable development planning. Public access nodes will be placed in key locations in the four FSM states. The data-set is very useful for fieldwork and will work with GPS data. This data-set will likely form the spatial data backbone for the Micronesia Challenge, as it will be unique in its completeness, diversity, and quality.

Other National Action Projects:

Climate Change Workshop (FSM)
Geographical Information Systems Gap Analysis (FSM)
US Forest Service State-wide Assessment and Resources Strategy Workshop (FSM)
Sustainable Financing Plan for Protected Area Network (RMI)
Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Management Plans Workshop (RMI)
Palau Protected Area Network Support (ROP)

Regional Efforts:

Developing a Sustainable Finance Plan for the Micronesia Challenge

One of the most pressing threats to conserving our natural resources is our ability to secure continuous funding for environmental projects, staff, and organizations. Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) was conceived of in 2004 to provide long term sustained funding to the region. To accomplish this, MCT fundraises for conservation purpose and established a conservation trust fund, also called an "endowment". The MC Sustainable Finance Plan will help identify an endowment target size necessary to support the regional conservation needs, identify potential internal and external funding source and develop a fundraising strategy to ensure the endowment target is met. Raising the funds to achieve the endowment target and sustain the MC overall will require international support, regional coordination, and national and community buy-in. Funding administered by MCT from the German LifeWeb International Climate Initiative provided support to the development of the MC Sustainable Financing Plan along with the Packard Fund, the U.S. Department of Interior, and The Nature Conservancy.