Our History
Carving a path that makes communities equal partners in conservation.
Chris LaFranchi worked in Africa, Asia, and the Americas for organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, UNESCO and World Bank. It led to the insight that equitably involving communities and aligning solutions with their interests is critical to conservation success. Chris refined his idea during his Fellowship with the Mulago Foundation which led to the OneReef Community Partnership Agreements that support coral reef conservation in Micronesia.
The Hatohobei Community in Palau contacted Chris because they saw the OneReef partnership as a better solution to protect Helen Reef - it put the community on an equal footing with partners and would support them as long as needed. A conference in Palau led to interest from other Micronesian communities.
A five-year renewable agreement was signed between OneReef, Micronesia Conservation Trust (fiscal executor), and the Hatohobei Community to protect Helen Reef into the future.
Six months after Hatohobei, the traditional leaders of Ngulu Atoll and Nimpal MPA (Yap State, Micronesia) signed Community Partnership Agreements with OneReef. In 2013, Conservation Society of Pohnpei, Micronesia, introduced OneReef’s model to the late Rohsa Namio Nanpei, of Ant Atoll, leading to the first phase of a Community Partnership Agreement with the current Rohsa, William Hawley, Sr.
Reef monitoring using novel 3D imaging technology was done by OneReef partner Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Sandin Labs) at Helen Reef (Palau) and Ant Atoll (Pohnpei, FSM). Marine Monitor (M2) radar was installed and tested at Ant Atoll in collaboration with ProtectedSeas.
OneReef signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Palau Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Palau Ministry of Justice to help the nation with its conservation goals and ocean policies. Subsequently, OneReef engaged with individual communities (the states of Angaur, Peleliu, Ngarchelong, Kayangel, Sonsorol) and the government officials as a step towards formal agreements.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography conducted follow up monitoring of reef health at Helen Reef and Ant Atoll, and baseline monitoring for neighboring Pakin Atoll. Periodic monitoring informs long term management.
Galvanized by the success in Ant Atoll, five more communities in Pohnpei signed agreements: Palikir, Pakin, Lenger and Dehpek-Takaiou. Scripps conducted monitoring at Ant Atoll for the third time and neighboring Pakin Atoll for the second time. Partnership with Ngulu Atoll renewed.
Kiliii Yuyan Photographer
10th anniversary of 1st agreement (Helen Reef; Tobi community, Palau). Tobi/Helen Reef rangers, trained and equipped by OneReef help apprehend a large, foreign poaching vessel. OneReef is one of 6 worldwide Blue Climate Initiative awardees. Local island teams trained in cutting-edge technology independently image 20 different reef sites in Palau and FSM.
Kiliii Yuyan Photographer
OneReef adds a Scientific Advisory Board. OneReef's first Micronesian partner's success was featured in the Defenders of the Reef article in the Indigenous Futures print edition of National Geographic.
