OneReef Model

We believe that island communities are the most effective environmental stewards when armed with the right partnerships and resources.

A SCALABLE SOLUTION FOR
CONSERVATION THAT ENDURES

OneReef’s Community Partnership Agreement Model is a proven way to accomplish long-term conservation success. We combine traditional stewardship with the right resources and link economic benefits to conservation. Agreements include the community’s 20-year vision, shared commitments and expected outcomes, a spatial management plan, impact monitoring plan, and more. 

THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN
THE RIGHT PLACES

We work in places where people have a strong “ecoidentity”. Island communities throughout the Micronesia Region want their reefs to thrive in the face of overfishing and climate change. Unlike some other parts of the world, little to no resources are required to persuade locals to support conservation efforts. After learning about the community’s goals and  aspirations and eliciting a long-term vision, OneReef and island communities develop shared commitments and a detailed management plan to realize that vision – outlined in the Community Partnership Agreement.

THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

OneReef partnerships align private and public funds, technology, and science, which makes our model more effective. Working hand-in-hand, OneReef, island communities, elected leaders, funders, and expert technical and scientific partners combine modern resources with traditional stewardship to: 


1) Protect globally valued reefs
2) Finance stewardship functions
3) Measure ecological response
4) Generate community-wide benefits 

Joint problem-solving and meaningful engagement create enduring value. 

Our partners include leaders in the field such as Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Conservation Society of Pohnpei, ProtectedSeas, Micronesia Conservation Trust, and more.

 

THE RIGHT TOOLS
AND RESOURCES

The communities we work with possess invaluable traditional knowledge yet need financial, scientific, and technical resources to protect their reefs and implement conservation programs. OneReef supports and mentors community members in four focal areas: 

1) Training, tools, infrastructure to increase agency
2) Support for marine management plans
3) Science-based monitoring for measuring impact
4) Establishment of sustainable financing