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Description:
Author(s):
The Nature Conservancy
Title:
Watershed Learning Exchange in Hawaii summary
Publication Date:
2013
Institution:
The Nature Conservancy
Page(s):
3
Abstract:
"A watershed learning exchange was held in collaboration with the Global Reef Resilience Program. Palau participants visited watershed sites on Hawaiis Oahu, Kona and Maui to learn how to reconcile increasing development with conservation. For more than two decades, Palau has been a leader in marine conservation. However, in the last 10 years, new development and a growing island economy has increased soil erosion resulting in sedimentation of the nations coastal marine areas. This has caused great concern among community members and policy makers who want to encourage development and improve infrastructure but also protect the environment. Hawaii is the closest island nation that offers Palau examples of how to grow development while minimizing environmental impacts. The exchange began with an introduction on how stream channelization on Oahu has led to major and costly environmental issues. Participants also viewed the examples of massive development in the Kai watershed, which dramatically illustrated how development has modified the environment and drastically reduced the amount of water for groundwater recharge and how it now flows instead into the ocean. The watershed learning exchange has been a tremendous success in showing Palaus policymakers and conservationist the environmental challenges faced by other Pacific island communities. The Palauans learned the urgency of managing their natural resources now; otherwise they may, in the not so distance future, face similar challenges to those being experienced in Guam, Saipan and Hawaii. The realization that their nation is a model among island communities for conservation success made the Palauans more appreciative of the work that is being done by NGOs and government agencies to increase environmental awareness and empower local people to manage their resources for the future."
Electronic Access:
Notes:
FY2009 CRCP Project 20411; Project Title: Partnership Agreement with The Nature Conservancy; Principal Investigator: Jenny Waddell ~ FY09 CRCP grant NA09NOS4190173
Funding Organizations:
NOS/Office for Coastal Management (OCM)
Grant Number(s):
NA09NOS4190173
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