PALAU, Melekeok State - January 2007
Construction of a solar-powered, eco-friendly visitor and education center in support of the 1,236-acre Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve in perpetuity
The Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve is located in Melekeok State on the east side of Babeldaob. It contains the largest freshwater lake in Micronesia and is an important habitat for the endangered Palau gray duck, Micronesian pigeon, Mariana fruit bat and saltwater crocodile. The lake provides the water supply for the state of Melekeok. The reserve includes the entire upland watershed of the Ngardorech River, one of Babeldaob’s five major river systems. The ecological significance of Lake Ngardok is now internationally recognized through designation under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of International Significance. With the assistance of the Palau Conservation Society (PCS), Seacology is funding the construction of a solar-powered, eco-friendly visitor and educational center to ameliorate potential effects of increased visitor traffic through the reserve in recognition of the conservation of the Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve in perpetuity.
UPDATE March 2007 - Purchase and transportation of materials, finalizing the design of the center, and construction is scheduled for March through July 2007. Plans for August through December 2007 include completing the installation of the solar power system, septic system and opening ceremony.
UPDATE July 2007 - After her site visits in Micronesia, Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson reports that the site for the new solar-powered visitors’ center has been selected. According to PCS director Tiare Holme, construction has been held up by the permitting process, but the permits have finally come through and construction is scheduled to begin within a month. The trailwork is very nicely done, with recycled plastic decking in wet spots and also used for a dock extending into the lake.
UPDATE December 2007 - The site for the center has been selected but construction was delayed until October 2007 by the permitting process. All permits were granted in October and PCS is ready to begin purchasing materials and finalizing plans to begin construction.
