FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, Yela Valley, Tafunsak Municipality, Kosrae - January 2011
Visitor’s center, boardwalk and waterway rehabilitation in exchange for the creation of an 87-acre no-take freshwater wetland Terminalia forest in perpetuity.
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Yela Valley contains the largest stand of Terminalia carolinensis (locally known as “Ka”) trees remaining in the world. The freshwater forested wetland in the Yela Valley is the heart of an unusually pristine tropical watershed extending from the ridgetop to the reef. In 2006, the traditional landowners formed a community-based organization called YELA (Yela Environment Landowners Authority) to locally manage this privately-owned property as a “protected area” in Kosrae. The most interesting species for conservation in the area are the mighty and majestic Terminalia carolinensis themselves. This remarkably intact forest also provides habitat for the endangered Micronesian pigeon (Ducula oceanica) and Mariana fruit bat (Pteropus mariannus). To promote ecotourism in the area, Seacology is funding construction of a visitors center and a 265-foot boardwalk across the swamp, and clearing of key waterways to allow impact-free access to the forest area by boat in exchange for the establishment of the 87-acre area as a no-take reserve in perpetuity.
UPDATE June 2011 - The project contracts were signed and funds were transferred in March 2011.
