Inspiring stories of stewardship

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Building the Next Generation of Stewards

Traditional Stewardship skills are important to the identity of Micronesian communities and also for helping protect their oceans in the face of climate change and other global threats. The success of the Stewardship Skills Youth Summer Camp supported by OneReef last year has set the foundation for ongoing camps and classes. In the summer of 2021, OneReef supported and facilitated two different Stewardship Skills camps for youth which are helping preserve and pass on traditional knowledge.

OneReef and Uchul a Chei Fishers Launch New Partnership

On May 8, 2021, OneReef and Uchul a Chei Fishers (UACF) undertook their first collaboration by volunteering to support the Koror State Government’s Scoop n’

Mentoring the next generation of Micronesian Stewards

OneReef has supported communities’ longer-term management and protection of their coral reefs across Micronesia since 2010. During this decade of developing long-term partnerships with communities across

Disruption by Unseasonal Typhoon

In March, Typhoon Surigae swept by Palau, catching Palauans off-guard as weather reports forecasted the occurrence of solid winds commonly associated with tropical storms. Palauan

The Last Traditional Navigator (Palau)

Mr. Akilino Albis left formal schooling in third grade after he grew interested in canoe carving and seafaring with his father, Albis. He quickly learned

Community Steward Spotlight

We are deeply grateful for the community stewards who are pivotal to our work. One such person is Clifford “Poch” Osima; a Palauan Traditional Steward engaged in modern-day surveillance, enforcement, and reef health monitoring activities as a Ngarchelong State Ranger. He has been vital in helping us deploy cutting-edge technologies to reduce poaching and to monitor reef health. Read more!

Island Youth Learn Traditional Stewardship Skills

15 youth from Sonsorol successfully completed a two-month Traditional Stewardship Summer Camp where they learned about the traditional ways of living on Islands.

OneReef is 10 years old – and celebrating a 10 year community partnership!

We are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the first OneReef community partnership agreement! OneReef signed this formative agreement with the Tobi community (Hatohobei) in Palau, Micronesia, in 2010 to steward the community-owned Helen Reef Atoll.

The success of the Tobi partnership has sparked nine additional communities to join OneReef in our mission of vibrant reefs and thriving communities. To learn more about the history and inspiration behind OneReef’s community partnership agreements, read on.

Island teams use hi-tech underwater imaging in Palau

In March 2020, OneReef worked with Ngarchelong State Conservation and Law Enforcement to pilot 3D imaging of coral reefs in 6 different sites by local teams. Putting imaging technology in the hands of island conservationists is transformational and has significant implications for ongoing effective reef management. To learn how this imaging supports reef health, tourism and food security, read more.

The Return of the Palau Giants

Did a Giant really create Palau? Learn about the origin story of the Palauan islands and its implications within today’s conservation efforts.

Jackson Wild Presentation by Madelsar Ngiraingas

Ms. Madelsar Ngiraingas, based in Palau and manager of OneReef Community partnerships, spoke at the Jackson Wild Film Festival to explain the Palauan perspective on conservation. Read more to learn about her story.

Community Steward Spotlight: Rosania Victor, Helen Reef (Palau)

Rosania Victor exemplifies how women in the Micronesia region play integral roles in protecting and managing their marine protected areas.

OneReef and Scripps train locals in hi-tech reef monitoring
March/April 2019

OneReef puts hi-tech in hands of local stewards to improve conservation outcomes: OneReef and our science partner, Scripps Oceanography, trained three OneReef Community Partner Teams to use a novel reef-monitoring technology. Read on about how it’s a win-win for all of us.

Ranger Report – Ngarchelong

Success with Ngarchelong State Rangers!

A Coffee for an Acre of Reef

At OneReef, our mission is to create Vibrant Reefs, Thriving Communities. We are committed to identifying bright spots of conservation and working with the communities

Northern Reefs Enforcement Training

OneReef is working with the Ngarcheong State Conservation Officers to protect more than 500,000 acres of Palau’s Northern Reefs. Since our initial engagement with the

OneReef & Ngarchelong Ranger Learning Exchange

OneReef staff Wayne Andrew, Surech Hideyos, and Liz Parissenti were able to join a TNC-sponsored learning exchange in Palau, to share best practices and experiences

President Remengesau’s Push for Partnerships

OneReef has recently taken an exciting step forward with Palau’s Office of the President, when we were invited to visit Palau and bring partners from

Emerging Public & Private Partnerships

During our last trip to Palau, OneReef was joined by Michael Sutton, a conservation lawyer who has extensive experience with designing public-private partnerships in California

Palau’s Ministry of Justice Signs Formal Agreement in Support of OneReef

OneReef and the Republic of Palau (ROP) have entered into an exciting formal partnership to protect Palau’s valuable marine resources. Through recent groundbreaking legislation to

Palau’s National Marine Sanctuary opens doors for greater collaboration with OneReef

Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. said it all recently in the Guardian: “Today is a historic day for Palau, proving that a small island

OneReef Model Expands in Palau

Under a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Environment Ministry, OneReef’s site-based model will be incorporated into Palau’s Protected Area Network (PAN) and finance plan.

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“Solving the problems associated with coral reef loss in the Pacific Island region requires more than just throwing resources at the problem. We must partner with communities that have deep-rooted and culturally significant relationships with the ocean.”

Christopher LaFranchi
CEO, Founder – OneReef