Building on a successful record of marine conservation, the four villages in Pohnpei’s WKS community are extending their protection efforts from sea to summit. Since 2017, the villages of Soamwoai, Mwoakot, Enipein Powe, and Enipein Pah have maintained a 388-acre marine no-take zone around Nahtik Island, complete with surveillance posts, regular patrols, and fish population monitoring in partnership with the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP).

Now these communities face another challenge: protecting the mountainous watershed forest that feeds their marine sanctuary. This native old-growth forest serves as essential habitat for Pohnpei’s endemic wildlife, including the critically endangered Pohnpei mountain starling—possibly already extinct—and the islan’s unique subspecies of short-eared owl, an unusual ground-nesting species active during daylight hours.

The forest faces threats from expanding sakau (kava) cultivation, which requires clearing native vegetation. Beyond biodiversity loss, deforestation could trigger devastating erosion and sedimentation that would destroy the mangroves and coral reefs the communities have worked so hard to protect.

The solution involves establishing a comprehensive Watershed Forest Reserve that prohibits buildings, roads, grazing, and pesticides. Tree cutting requires prior permission, with watershed protection as the primary consideration. The communities will monitor the forest, implement community engagement programs, and enforce regulations to prevent illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment.

A Seacology grant addresses a fundamental community need that supports conservation success: reliable freshwater access. Seasonal rainfall variations leave villages without adequate water storage during dry periods, severely affecting public health and quality of life. Two 10,000-gallon water tanks will provide all four villages with dependable clean water access, and CSP will conduct outreach on water conservation and tank maintenance.

By linking watershed protection with essential infrastructure, this project demonstrates how meeting basic human needs can strengthen long-term environmental conservation commitments.