The scenic villages of Qokaaw and Kadaay, on the west coast of Yap, are steeped in tradition. They have already taken unilateral steps to protect their natural heritage, including establishing the 192-acre Nimpal Channel Marine Conservation Area (MCA).

Residents know that conserving mangrove areas around the Nimpal Channel MCA is key to reducing runoff and providing habitat for juvenile fishes. With this in mind, they want to permanently preserve 46 acres of pristine mangroves adjacent to the MCA. This particular forest survived Typhoon Sudal and contains at least four of the main five genera of mangroves in Yap.

With Seacology funding, community members will:

• Clean up areas of the watershed that have become choked with fallen logs and branches.
• Repair an old surveillance platform, build a new one, and purchase a kayak, all to improve surveillance of the Nimpal Channel and mangrove reserve areas.
• Build a project operation and storage center on the shore next to the two reserves.

Community members will work with the Yap Community Action Partnership, a local organization that has collaborated with Seacology on several projects.