YAP, Kanif Village, Dalipebinaw - July 2005
Rebuilding a protective sea wall in exchange for the 5.5-acre Kanif Mangrove Reserve
The idea of conserving their valuable forests is not new to the village of Kanif, in Dalipebinaw, Yap. The 75-acre Dalipebinaw Forest Reserve was established in 2002 in exchange for Seacology's support of the restoration of the ancient Tamilyog Stone Path. The community has decided to protect another vital ecosystem: the Kanif-Magaf mangrove forest and river channel. In exchange for setting aside the 5.5-acre forest reserve in perpetuity, Seacology will help fund the reconstruction of the sea wall protecting the area. *
UPDATE June 2006 - Grant documentation was sent to project coordinator Charles Chieng of YapCAP in September 2005. Staff is currently waiting for the return of a budget, timeline, village agreement and grant agreement in order to officially begin the project. Staff will continue to monitor the progress of this project in 2006.
UPDATE January 2007 - As of November 2006 the project is postponed until the community can obtain assistance from the government to secure the use of their heavy machinery. Since FEMA-funded road repairs take precedence the assistance has been slow. They expect the machinery to be available starting in early 2007. Staff will continue to monitor the progress of this project in 2007.
UPDATE June 2007 - By April 2007 three community meetings were held to finalize a revised budget. The project is scheduled to begin in mid-2007. Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson and Field Representative Simon Ellis will conduct a site visit in early July 2007.
UPDATE July 2007 - After her site visits in Micronesia, Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson reports that the site has been filled, but due to rainy weather the project is somewhat behind schedule. Karen attended a community meeting with the village men's group who expressed a commitment to executing the project in the coming year. The conservation area remains under full protection.
UPDATE January 2009 - Seacology received a final report in October 2008. The sea wall was completed in November 2007 and dirt behind the wall was filled in early 2008. The contractor is waiting until the end of 2008 to allow the fill to settle down before planting. The conservation area remains under full protection.
UPDATE June 2009 - The site reclamation is complete and the community has put 4 "Koyeng" or "picnic/rest huts" (2 built from local materials and another 2 using western materials). The remaining project funds are reserved for a flush type toilet facility for the site. They are awaiting approval of the drawing by EPA Yap before starting construction. The funding will be used for materials only. Any material shortfall will be provided by the community. The conservation area remains under full protection.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by: 
