KOSRAE, Utwe Walung - July 2000
Protect a fragile mangrove ecosystem and create an alternative energy supply for local community center
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Kosrae is one of the least developed island states of the Federated States of Micronesia. Seacology Prize recipient Madison Nena played a pivotal role in the protection of one of Kosrae's largest mangrove forests through the establishment of the Utwe Walung Marine Park. One of the most striking elements of the park is a large community center, which was constructed in traditional style under Nena's direction. The community center will not only serve as the park headquarters but will also be a major environmental and cultural education center. Providing electricity to the center via power lines would be prohibitively expense and would require the destruction of mangroves, as well as potentially lead the way to further development of this pristine site. As an alternative, Seacology has provided funding to purchase and install Kosrae's first solar energy system for the center. This project is serving as a model use of sustainable energy for the island of Kosrae.*
For more information, please see the Spring 2001 Seacology newsletter.
UPDATE January 2005 - The energy system was installed in 2001. It is currently in need of repairs that are beyond the capability of the local power company. Efforts to fix the problem and get the panels back online are ongoing. In partnership with UNESCO, a community planning process has started to develop the park into FSM's first Biosphere Reserve.
UPDATE July 2007 - After her site visits in Micronesia, Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson reports that the Seacology-funded solar power system at the community center has not been functioning. A solar contractor in the Marshall Islands has been identified who could repair the system and train locals to maintain it. The road to the community center is also scheduled to be improved within the next year, which will enhance access. The area is still under protection, and there are several clean-up parties planned at the center. The center itself is in need of re-thatching but is due to be repaired in the near future.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by: 
