Keep in Touch

Subscribe to stay up to date on Seacology’s events, trips, and projects.

Name*
First Last
Email Address*

Email Address
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Federated States of Micronesia

Kanif

Projects • Federated States of Micronesia • Kanif

Conservation benefit: 5.5-acre Kanif Mangrove Reserve

Community benefit: Rebuilding a protective sea wall

Date Approved: 07.2005

Mangroves

The idea of conserving their valuable forests is not new to the village of Kanif, in Dalipebinaw, Yap. The 75-acre Dalipebinaw Forest Reserve was established in 2002, in exchange for Seacology’s support of the restoration of the ancient Tamilyog Stone Path, which traverses the island. The community has decided to protect another vital ecosystem: the Kanif-Magaf mangrove forest and river channel.

In exchange for setting aside the 5.5-acre forest reserve in perpetuity, Seacology will help fund repair of the seawall protecting the area. The project will be facilitated by the Yap Community Action Program, a local nonprofit organization.

Project Updates

May 2016

Almost all materials needed for the repair work are now at the site, and the villagers expect to have the project done by June or July.

November 2015

When Program Manager Mary Randolph and Field Representative Simon Ellis visited Kanif in July, village leaders showed them damage to the seawall, caused by waves during typhoons earlier this year. Seacology has now made an additional grant to the Kanif community for repairs.

June 2009

The site reclamation is complete, and the community has put four “Koyeng” or “picnic/rest huts” (two built from local materials and another two using Western materials). The remaining project funds are reserved for a flush type toilet facility for the site. They are awaiting approval of the drawing by EPA Yap before starting construction. The funding will be used for materials only. Any material shortfall will be provided by the community. The conservation area remains under full protection.

January 2009

Seacology received a final report in October 2008. The sea wall was completed in November 2007 and dirt behind the wall was filled in early 2008. The contractor is waiting until the end of 2008 to allow the fill to settle down before planting. The conservation area remains under full protection.

July 2007

After her site visits in Micronesia, Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson reports that the site has been filled, but due to rainy weather the project is somewhat behind schedule. Karen attended a community meeting with the village men’s group who expressed a commitment to executing the project in the coming year. The conservation area remains under full protection.

June 2007

By April 2007 three community meetings were held to finalize a revised budget. The project is scheduled to begin in mid-2007. Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson and Field Representative Simon Ellis will conduct a site visit in early July 2007.

January 2007

As of November 2006 the project is postponed until the community can obtain assistance from the government to secure the use of their heavy machinery. Since FEMA-funded road repairs take precedence the assistance has been slow. They expect the machinery to be available starting in early 2007. Staff will continue to monitor the progress of this project in 2007.

June 2006

Grant documentation was sent to project coordinator Charles Chieng of YapCAP in September 2005. Staff is currently waiting for the return of a budget, timeline, village agreement and grant agreement in order to officially begin the project. Staff will continue to monitor the progress of this project in 2006.

+ See more updates

- +

Project Photos

Full or partial funding for this project provided by Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation.