PALAU, Ngaremlengui State, Babeldaob Island - January 2009
Construction of a covered bridge, welcome center and three smaller foot bridges in support of protecting the 2,176-acre Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve in perpetuity
The Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve is located in Ngaremlengui State on the east side of Babeldaob Island. The reserve encompasses the Ngarmeskang River, one of Palau's largest waterways, which flows into Ngaremeduu Bay, a Biosphere Reserve since 2006. The Ngarmeskang River and Ngaremeduu Bay are among the areas of highest endemism and biodiversity in Palau. Fifteen of Palau's 16 restricted range or endemic birds are resident at the Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve. The forest along the Ngarmesang River is also important habitat for the two native bats (Marianas fruit bat and the sheath-tail bat), which are Palau's only native terrestrial mammals. The state would like to improve the trail to the waterfall on the Ngarmeskang River as part of the larger plan to develop ecotourism in the area, which could bring much-needed revenue to the state and local community. In exchange for the conservation of the Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve in perpetuity, the people of Ngaremlengui State have requested funding for a combined covered bridge and welcome center and three small foot bridges to reduce environmental impact, increase eco-tourism income and improve the trail through the reserve. 
UPDATE June 2009 - Between February and March 2009, Palau Conservation Society finalized plans and returned all pre-granting documentation to Seacology. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009 with obtaining construction permits and purchasing materials. Plans for 2009 include clearing and preparing the sites and beginning construction by mid- 2009. The project is estimated to be completed by early 2010.
UPDATE November 2009 - Field representative Simon Ellis visited the project in August 2009. He reports that the project is being held up by permits, but that the community has a plan in place and seems ready to proceed once the correct permits are obtained. As of November 2009 the project remains delayed although the community is targeting the upcoming dry season (January to March) to get the bridge constructed. Before that time the community will obtain the permit for the project from the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB). Since the project was amended from a bridge that would hold cars to one that would hold only people, they believe the waiver from EQPB should be feasible. The delay is partly political - a change in political leadership in Ngaremlengui has slowed things down.
Indicates full or partial funding by Seacology Japan
