Nakalavo village’s ancestral rainforest is primary forest. One of the trees found there is the yasiyasi, a highly desirable native tree used for making furniture and other products. The village has agreed to preserve their 2,000-acre forest for a period of 20 years. In exchange, Seacology will provide funding to build a critically needed community hall.
Conservation benefit: Establishment of a 2,000-acre forest preserve
Community benefit: New community center
Date Approved: 07.2003
Project Updates
September 2018
Almost all of the repair and maintenance work on the community hall has been completed. The work included tiling the floor, installing new toilets, and adding ceiling fans and lights. The hall is the nicest facility in the area and has recently been used for workshops on TB and domestic violence as well as for community meetings and weddings. The forest area is still being protected. Fiji field rep Pettine Simpson and program manager Mary Randolph visited the village this month and were treated to a warm welcome from village leaders.
May 2018
After 14 years, it was not surprising that the Seacology-funded community hall in this village needed substantial repairs. In return for a maintenance grant, the community extended the original conservation agreement for 10 more years, until 2033. The renovation work is about halfway done.
July 2005
The community center was completed in July 2004. Seacology’s June 2005 Fiji expedition for Japanese Fellows visited Nakalavo Village to celebrate the opening of the community center.