ISSUE 1

JAN-FEB EDITION

Saving the Manumea

Photo: Ulf Beichle

Conserving Samoa

Photo Stuart Chape

Auckland Zoo partnership

Photo: nature.org

Mt Vaea conservation

Photo: Supplied

TOP STORIES FROM YOUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Samoa Conservation Society (SCS) “Fa’asao

Samoa” was launched in a short ceremony on the

last day of Samoa’s National Environment Week on

Friday November 7 2014 at the To’oa Salamasina

Hall, Sogi. The SCS is a non- profit organization

made up of a group of volunteers dedicated to con-

serving Samoa’s natural heritage and in particular,

saving Samoa’s many threatened species of plants

and animals from extinction.

WELCOME to our first Conservation Society Newsletter. It is only the second month of 2015 and

already I can feel the pressure of work, family and social commitments. While we rush head-on to

meet these obligations, we ought to find time in our schedule to pause, and reflect on our well-

being. Our environment underpins all what is possible to live on an island paradise like ours. We

are surrounded by turquoise sea with a deep blue ocean backdrop nurturing our homes along the

coast. At least that is how things were when our fore-parents journeyed to this land. Nowadays, we

cannot afford to take our environment for granted. Climate change, invasive species, over-

exploitation, pollution are harming the land, the sea, the forest, the farm and our homes. It is this

reason that we have established this newest commitment, the Samoa Conservation Society, as

part of our pledge to do more to protect and conserve our environment. We cannot do this alone

and therefore I invite you to join us, to do your bit to save the Manumea, Samoa's national bird, and

to help save the countless other species that share the right to be on this island. Every action

counts. Make a difference become an environment defender today by joining the Samoa Conser-

vation Society.

Sala Josephine Stowers, President, Samoa Conservation Society

Conserve Samoa Newsletter: First Edition Jan-Feb 20150

CONSERVE SAMOA BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Samoa Conservation Society launches during Environment Week

CONSERVE SAMOA BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

The Manumea, Didunculus strigirostris, more com-

monly known as the tooth-billed pigeon is a large

pigeon that is endemic to Samoa. It is the national

bird of Samoa. It is confined to the mature undis-

turbed forests of Samoa and is of great significance

because it is the only surviving species of its genus

in the world. The Manumea is in serious trouble be-

cause of invasive species, hunting and loss of its

habitats. SCS in collaboration with the Australia Na-

tional University and with funding support from the

Darwin Initiative is implementing a project to save

the Manumea. The Manumea Project is led by Re-

becca Stirnemann with the overall aim of preventing

the extinction of the species by 2020. Conservation

efforts directed at preserving the Manumea will also

involve the preservation of the native forests of Sa-

moa that contain rich fauna and flora of native spe-

cies.

Conservation Feature: Restoration of

Mt. Vaea Reserve

There have been ongoing efforts to

restore the Mount Vaea reserve

since 2007. The reserve, which was

formerly covered with lowland rain-

forest, is now infested with invasive

plants. Sixty percent (60%) of all

tree stems in the reserve are inva-

sive species, introduced plants such

as African tulip (Faapasi), Rubber trees (Pulu vao and Pulu mamoe),

and Albizzia (Tamaligi).

The presence of invasive species reduces the quality of habitat for na-

tive flora and fauna, and also decreases resilience towards extreme

weather events and the impacts of climate change. A training provided

by SPREP has been used to train MNRE staff how to identify and com-

bat invasive plant species in the reserve, and to scout potential areas for

restoration. Members of SCS are invited to assist with the restoration

work including weeding and planting trees. For more information please

contact SCS member James Atherton on 7770787. jather-

ton@samoa.ws.

Partnerships: Auckland

Zoo provides transmitters

As part of the Societys continued

efforts in saving the Manumea,

partnership with the Auckland Zoo

is currently being formulated to

assist in the supply of transmitters.

SCS Executive Committee and

technical advisors have been work-

ing on a proposal after initial inter-

est from the Zoo was noted. This

will be one of many innovative part-

nerships SCS will pursue in the

effort to ensure not just the protec-

tion of threatened species but also

encouraging robust scientific data

from Samoa, for Samoa.

Project Feature: Saving the Manumea

Member Profile: Tofilau Tepa Suaesi

Tofilau Tepa Suasei was the inaugural president of the Samoa Conservation Society. Tofilau graduated

from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in 1988. He started his professional

career at the Ministry of Education and later with the Ministry of Environment. Tofilau served the Pacific

Islands working at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme from 2007-2014. He

is now an Environmental Consultant and an active member of the Society.

Volunteer Profile: Imoasina Jalloh

Imoasina graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Science (Environmental

Science) in September 2014. She was born and raised in Samoa. Her mother is from Savaii and her

father is from Sierra Leone, West Africa. She is currently volunteering for SCS while she completes her

Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Change online, with USP, Alafua. Her hobbies include hiking, paddle

boarding, and various water sports.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Samoa Conservation Society is a young local non-

governmental organisation who are committed to advancing

and raising the conservation of Samoa’s biodiversity and natu-

ral heritage. Although it was established in 2013, its official

launch took place during Environment Week 2014. The organi-

sation's mission is to promote the conservation of Samoa’s

biodiversity and natural heritage by increasing the awareness

of the threats to native biodiversity from invasive species, un-

sustainable harvesting, habitat destruction and degradation,

pollution, and climate change. Our efforts will be achieved by

working alongside partners and local communities to undertake

research, raise awareness, and education and information ex-

change. Any projects you as an individual or group may have,

whether small or large that aims to support Samoa’s biodiversi-

ty, we can support you.

About Us

Our People

Out and About

Executive Members of Samoa Conservation Society, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jack-

son and Posa Skelton with Miss Pacific Islands, Latafale Auva’a met to discuss

outreach activities for the Society. Ms Latafale was very supportive of the Soci-

ety.

Www.samoaconservationsoc

iety.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/

conservesamoa

conservesamoa@gmail.com

OUR PARTNERS