The Last Ka Forest in the World

William K. WilliamProject Manager

Yela Environment Landowners Authority (YELA)

Yela Ka Forest & WatershedKosrae, FSM

Overview Brief Intro on Yela Watershed: Problem/issue Who/what needs to change? Who will be involved? When/How do we address this issue? What to achieve?

Yela Ka (Terminalia carolinensis) Forest

Mission: “To protect the world’s only remaining Ka forest (Terminalia carolinensis), its surrounding ecosystems, and its great ecological wealth from all harmful activities.”

Yela Environment Landowners Authority

Why is it important to conserve and protect the Yela Ka Forest & Watershed?

Area of Biological Significances Last intact watershed in Kosrae Ka (Terminalia carolinensis) is endemic to FSM Healthy watershed nourishes and protects feeding and spawning areas, marine animals, and habitats Largest, longest, and straightest mangroves are found in Yela One of the best fishing ground for community

What is the issue? Forest clearing, particularly mangrove

forest clearing at the Yela watershed, leads to SEDIMENTATION.

Mangrove forest acts as a Natural Buffer, trapping sediments and lessen the force of waves in the coastal areas.

What’s happening that effects the Yela natural biodiversity and the community?

Who needs to change behavior?Wood harvesters1)Be aware or should know;- impacts of sedimentation to the Yela fisheries- importance of selection cutting in controlling erosion- how re-vegetation of cleared areas prevents increase in

erosion2) Must believe; - applying selection cutting controls erosion - practicing re-vegetation on cleared areas prevents

increase in sedimentation 3) Communication;- discuss with others

A) impacts of sedimentation to Yela watershed fisheriesB) Importance of selection cutting and re-vegetation

methods

(Con’t) Who needs to change behavior?4) Free training be provided;- selection cutting method - re-vegetation method5) Applying the new methods or Adopting new behaviorFirewood consumers1) Be aware about;- threats and impacts of forest clearing for fuel-woods Surveys, both qualitative & quantitative, will be

used to flush out their insights or perceptions Barriers will be identified, then solutions or

alternative ways could be addressed as positive actions to remove those barriers

Use less mangroves for firewood

Who is going to be involved? RARE PMRI PICRC Yela Environment Landowners Authority Kosrae Conservation & Safety Organization Kosrae Island Resources & Management Authority Tafunsak Municipal Office Tafunsak Resource Management Committee Tafunsak Women Association Tafunsak Youth Tafunsak Church

How are we going to do it?1. Qualitative Research & Analysis Aug. – Oct. 2012o In-depth interview o Key-informant interviewo Focus group discussiono Observation2. Quantitative Research Dec. 2012-Mar. 2013o Finalize Questionnaire surveyo Conducted by trained enumerators3. Barrier removal planning Aug. – Nov. 2012o Consult w/ expertso Stakeholders meetings

o Implementing barrier removal activities (by stakeholders, partners); a) Community workshop on threats and Nov. – Dec. 2012impacts of sedimentationb) Workshop for wood-harvesters on Jan. 2013selection cutting methodc) Workshop for wood-harvesters on Feb. 2013re-vegetation methodd) Community consultation & review Mar. 2013workshops on Yela management plan_final draft and endorsement4) Monitoring Oct.-Nov. 2012o Baseline data collection withTechnical partners

Changing the behaviors of wood-harvesters & community

(consumers), then …

Reduction in sedimentation level

Conservation Results;

Increase in mangrove forest coverage

Improve water turbidity

Securing the Future of Our Next Generations is Our #1 Priority

KULO MA LULAP