KOSRAE, Lelu Island - July 2004
Establish the Lelu Conservation Area in exchange for the construction of Lelu Marine Park
Click photo to enlarge
The Lelu Resource Management Committee is in the process of establishing a multiple ecosystem conservation area which will be in place for a minimum of 20 years and will cover approximately 550 acres of mangrove forest, brackish mangrove channels, sea grass beds and reef flats as well as Lelu Bay and an island. In exchange for the creation of this protected area, Seacology will provide a recreational area for youth, a walking path and thatch sitting huts at the Lelu Marine Park.*
UPDATE January 2005 - The community has begun the first phase of the Marine Park and Conservation Area project - the preparation of the former dredge site into a Marine Park by grading and filling areas for the youth sports area, and for a walking path and local picnic huts. The Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization is currently working with the Lelu Resource Management Committee in finalizing its budget and work plan for the Seacology funded portions of the park, and will thereafter start the process of helping the community clarify the exact areas and species to be protected within the conservation area.
UPDATE July 2005 - Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization members are currently working with the Lelu Resource Management Committee and the Kosrae Island Resource Management Authority to carry out the community planning of the conservation area and the construction of the infrastructure at the park. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2005.
UPDATE January 2006 - The community has begun the first phase of the Marine Park and Conservation Area project - the preparation of the former dredge site into a Marine Park by grading and filling areas for the youth area, path and huts.
UPDATE June 2006 - Field Representative Simon Ellis visited the site in March 2006 and reported on the status of the project. In 2005 the communities surrounding the proposed conservation area graded and filled areas for the youth area, path and huts and built three of the proposed six resting huts. The communities’ plans for the conservation portion of the project are moving slowly but will continue to be closely monitored by staff and Simon Ellis.
UPDATE January 2007 - In 2005 areas for the youth area, path and resting huts were graded and filled. In 2006 six resting huts and a volleyball court were constructed, and the Urban and Community Forestry department planted native trees in the area. Fish and coral assessments were conducted within the boundaries of the marine park and community awareness programs have begun. Plans for the next phase include continued work on a fish pond, beach restoration, and implementing a summer internship program on mangrove forest ecosystem education. The communities’ plans for the conservation portion of the project have moved more slowly than infrastructure construction. Staff and field representative Simon Ellis will continue to monitor conservation progress.
UPDATE June 2007 - Attempts to build a fish pond were stalled due to a lack of needed machinery and changes in project coordinators. Plans for mid-2007 include installing water lines to the resting huts. Plans for the conservation portion of the project continue to move slowly. Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson and Field Representative Simon Ellis will conduct a site visit in late June 2007.
UPDATE July 2007 - After her site visits in Micronesia, Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson reports that the thatch resting huts have been constructed and the area is well used by locals. The marine park is beautifully situated and includes a small forested island that is home to numerous fruit bats. Youth recreation facilities and a display garden have yet to be completed. The conservation aspect of the project is also not completed; the area is not under threat, but project partners have been advised to implement the conservation measures stated in the original workplan as soon as possible.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu
Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation
