Water Resources Research Act Program

Principal Investigators: Joseph Eugene, Francisca Obispo

Abstract: The Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) continues its 16th year of preserving Pohnpeis natural heritage and looks forward to strengthen a comprehensive effort as issues associated with effective conservation of island ecosystems become increasingly crucial for growth and sustainability in the state of Pohnpei. In 2002, the establishment of the Federated States of Micronesias (FSM) National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP) set the stage for biodiversity conservation in the country. CSP identified the need to empower communities to protect Pohnpeis biodiversity in which networks of community-based protected areas were established with long-term goals of self-sustenance and increased collaboration towards biodiversity conservation and management in Pohnpei. Poor land management practices in the uplands continue to be detrimental for ecosystems downstream. A watershed steering committee has continued to pursue ways to improve management of Pohnpeis forest reserves. CSP aims to improve community access to information and resources to carry out implementation of Pohnpei States conservation policy and including fresh water regulations. We learned a valuable lesson that community initiatives would never be effective without government legislations and government projects would not be successful without community participation. This new initiative will unite our successes and communicate lessons learned throughout Micronesia. The direction of CSPs work continue to be influenced by findings from various studies and surveys conducted over the past 10 years with aspirations of the Micronesia Challenge to effectively manage Pohnpeis natural resources. The goal of this project is to further improve the network of community-based engagement for Pohnpeis Watershed Forest Reserve to conserve and protect our fresh waters ecosystems while improving conservation policy by merging modern science and traditional resource management. The objectives are: (1) to conduct a series of water workshop and share fresh water regulations in the communities by developing and implementing their Conservation Action Plans, (2) To improve community-based watershed management programs to improve water quality, and (3) To create interactive programs to motivate local compliance to improve/maintain water quality.