OneReef Partners with Pacific Leaders to Strengthen Community Engagement
Through a customized shared vision plan for each community, OneReef helps each community to take the lead with stewardship efforts. We actively engage community leaders
Inspiring stories of stewardship
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3D Coral Reef Monitoring Guides Conservation and Adaptation Efforts
This past September Nicole Yamase, OneReef Impact Director, Colin Hyatt, OneReef Impact Coordinator, and two of our partners from the Sandin Lab at the Scripps
OneReef’s Partner in Palau Featured in National Geographic’s Indigenous Futures Issue
The National Geographic’s July 2024 Special “Indigenous Futures” issue featured the “Defenders of the Reef” article which celebrated the success of the Hatohobei community in
Preeminent Experts Join OneReef’s Science Advisory Board to Maximize Impact
This past year, OneReef created a Science Advisory Board (SAB), whose mission is to provide guidance and scientific advice to support and evaluate the success
Cross-site Collaboration Builds Success
Cross-site sharing of conservation lessons is vital to maximizing outcomes. OneReef’s partner, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), annually brings together all the Pohnpei State communities that manage their Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) so they can share information and best practices. The discussions at this cross-site meeting help OneReef change our programs and better support our partner communities.
Resurrected Community Organization Makes Early Gains to Boost Nanwap MPA
In 2020, OneReef formalized its Community Partnership Agreement with the five communities that manage Nanwap MPA. Shortly after that, MLMDA, a collaborative organization that the communities had created to help manage Nanwap, was revived, and a fundraising effort was launched. In our experience working with communities to manage MPAs, initiatives like these are a crucial success factor. Even so, we were taken by surprise at the speed with which the communities achieved their ambitious goal.
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.
Patterson Lawrence – A True Water Guardian of Pohnpei
Mr. Patterson, who is from Sokehs, grew up with a love of the ocean and spent much of his young years fishing and traveling between
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
Two New Marine Protected Areas join the OneReef network!
In October 2020, two new community groups in Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia) formalized Community Partnership Agreements with OneReef. Nanwap is an MPA (Marine Protected
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
OneReef trained Helen Reef Rangers apprehend large Chinese poaching vessel.
The Helen Reef Ranger team of five (5), led by Sr. Officer Hercules Amelio, apprehended and detained a twenty-eight-man crew Chinese vessel off the southwest
Traditional Leaders Forum in Pohnpei
For centuries, Pohnpeians used traditional complex systems to protect their natural resources. These strict rules governed all clans’ behavior and ensured that Pohnpei’s rich coral reefs, mangroves, and forests provided food and economic livelihood to sustain themselves and future generations. Traditional resource management systems and stewardship systems have been diluted by modern approaches to regulate resource use and management. Modern approaches have also undermined the authority of indigenous communities to control their resources. Consequently, many traditional mangrove ecosystems have been lost and destroyed due to unsustainable harvesting and development practices and notable climate change impacts. On November 17th, traditional leaders made themselves heard!
Pohnpei and Helen Reef teams have independently imaged their reefs!
In March 2019, OneReef, in collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, trained three teams of local islanders in cutting edge imaging technology used by scientists to monitor reef health over time. In June and October (2020), the teams from Pohnpei and Helen Reef independently imaged multiple sites in their area, putting their training into action! (The team from Ngarchelong, a Northern state of Palau, independently imaged six sites in March 2020).
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.
Surveillance Gear Bought and Sent to Communities
Thank you for helping us raise $4,520 to date for 4 of our partner communities in Pohnpei (Federated States on Micronesia)! The communities are Palikir,
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.
A 10 year partnership – conservation success at Helen Reef (Palau)
OneReef’s first Partnership agreement, 10 years ago, was with the Tobi community to support their efforts to protect and recover the marine ecosystem of Helen Reef, including its iconic turtle population. To honor World Oceans Day (June 8th), and World Sea Turtle Day (June 18th), we want to share the achievements of the Helen Reef Turtle monitoring and tagging program and celebrate this incredible community whose efforts have ensured that there have been no illegal poachers at Helen Reef since the last incident in 2014! Read on for the history of this program and its successful conservation efforts.
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.
Floating Ranger Stations Update
November 2019
See photos and learn about the progress of two floating ranger stations in our partner communities.
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.
To Go Far, Go Together: Three Lessons From the Field
August 2019
Aurora Oberg, OneReef’s new Director of Global Operations and Partnerships, shares three meaningful lessons from her experiences in conservation and social impact fields.
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.
Ryan Hawley Awarded the Nia Tero Young Leaders Fellowship Program
In August 2018, Ryan Hawley, the son of Rhosa William Hawley of Ant Atoll, Pohnpei (a OneReef partner community), was awarded the Nia Tero Young Leaders Fellowship Program, which fosters young leaders who will take on key roles in conservation.
Visiting Pohnpei & New Conservation Agreements!
OneReef Strategy and Marketing guru Suparna Vashisht was joined by 12 other attendees in a recent trip to Pohnpei Micronesia. Thank you Suparna for the
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
OneReef on NPR
We were thrilled to be featured this month as a guest on Listen Bay Area with host Armand Carr, which was also picked up by
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
OneReef Screens Chasing Coral at Montalvo Arts Center
The OneReef screening of the award-winning movie, Chasing Coral, was a sold-out event with a highly engaged audience. If you would like to organize a
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
Join OneReef & Thought Leaders at Bioneers Conference
OneReef Founder and CEO Christopher LaFranchi is proud to showcase our OneReef model at the Bioneer’s Conference, an annual summit that will be held in
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
OneReef Chosen As Blue Week Finalist
We are excited to announce that OneReef is one of only four finalists, out of 100+ applicants, selected to pursue support from sponsors of the
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
