NatureFijiNatureFiji--MareqetiVitiMareqetiViti Newsletter 16 September 2013

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti turned 6 years on the 30th of June 2013. We celebrated our birthday with our first Kids club , attended by more than 13 children between the ages of 1-11 years. More on this story can be seen under the Membership section of this newsletter.

Left to right; Jope Davetanivalu (Director Environment), Aiyaz Sayed Khayum (AG), Kelera Macedru (NFMV)

Attendees of the PIDF took some time to visit the NFMV booth that also featured the work done by Rivers Ltd. Our 6th Birthday Cake as the site managers of Fiji’s only ‘Wetland of International Importance’ the Upper Navua NatureFiji-MareqetiViti recently attended the Green Conservation Area. Economy expo that was held in conjunction to the The blue economy has been defined to mean a further Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) in Denarau, Nadi development of the green economy referring to the from the 5th-7th of August 2013. The focus of the forum color of the sky, ocean and earth as seen from the was to bring together businesses and civil society leaders universe. from the Pacific in an effort to secure it’s future through the blue/green economy approach.

NFMV was part of the expo under the financial assistance of the Dept. of Environment and Corporate Member Rivers Fiji Ltd. At the expo NFMV focused on promoting the Critically endangered sago palm. The sago thatch used by the Tourism industry is one of the greatest source of revenue for more than 200 families in the Serua province. NFMV produced a Sustainable Harvesting Guideline for sago leaves in order to maintain its potential as a financial resource for its dependant families, but also to ensure its Nadi Airport School students with their complementary prize, continual survival. at the booth that NFMV shared with Rivers Fiji Ltd.

MareqetiViti is best translated as ‘Caring for Fiji’

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti’s mission is to enhance biodiversity and habitat conservation, endangered species protection and sustainable use of natural resources of the Fiji Islands through the promotion of collaborative conservation action, awareness raising, education, research and biodiversity information exchange. Feature Article

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti joins the BirdLife International Global Partnership. Two years into our establishment in 2007, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti applied to join the BirdLife International Global Partnership – a network of local conservation NGOs through-out the world working together for nature and for people. Now in our 6th year, over 30 projects (almost 50% of which were secured through the BirdLife International Pacific Secretariat), and 10 staff members later, NFMV has finally met the strict requirements for Affiliate Status with BirdLife International.

Nunia Thomas at the partnership fair during the Birdlife International World Congress , Ottawa Canada.

We also got the opportunity to meet with our major donor: the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation (Mette and Anders Skov and their respective families); fellow recipients of the Arcadia/BirdLife Conservation Fund; and of course other organizations such as Haribon Foundation L-R: Nunia Thomas (Director, NFMV); Steve Cranwell (Regional (Philippines) who have been around for more than 40 Seabird Programme Manager); Lolita Gibbons-Decherong years and from whom NFMV has a lot to learn. (Programme Manager, Palau Conservation Society); Miliana Ravuso (EU Programme Manager, BL– PS); Mark O’Brien Maintaining our place with the BirdLife International (Regional Technical Advisor, BL-PS); Morena Rigamoto (Pacific Global Partnership will be a good incentive that will Local Empowerment Programme Manager, BL– PS). challenge the organization to be a science-based organization that continues to provide technical information and knowledge to landowners and Attending the recent BirdLife International World government alike for better informed decision making. Congress was a memorable event for NFMV as we were welcomed into the BirdLife family in quite a fashion. Day We thank the BirdLife International Pacific Secretariat and one of the Global Partnership Meeting saw NFMV Cambridge office who have worked tirelessly over the participate as one of the panellists offering a small past 4 years to make this strategic step a reality. We especially acknowledge the Arcadia/BirdLife International developing NGO’s perspective on BirdLife International’s Partnership Fund, the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation Strategy 2013 – 2020. Day two, NFMV took to the and the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund whose core podium to receive the Affiliate Status certificate and funds and objectives helped NatureFiji-MareqetiViti make a statement on what this new partnership would achieve this award. mean to us as a local membership-based conservation organization

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Newsletter 16 www.naturefiji.org September 2013 Page 2 Project Updates

The 2013 Fiji Petrel Project program is well underway National Trust of Fiji and NatureFiji-MareqetiViti survey Collared petrels are nearing the end of their breeding the Lomaiviti area Tuverea Tuamoto our invasive season with occupied burrows containing medium sized species manager accompanied a team of researchers in chicks that is to have fledged at the end of July and into surveying a total of nine islands in the Lomaiviti and Lau st th August. The Fiji petrel fledging that grounded in group on the 1 - 14 July 2013. Nukuloa School in November/December 2012 provided The team consisted of Robert Fischer from the United important information on the timing of the breeding States Geological Survey (USGS), Male Biciloa and Joeli season. Petrels of similar size to our Fiji petrel have about a Vadada, 2 forest rangers from the National Trust of Fiji, 6 week incubation period and a 3 month chick rearing Peter Harlow from the Taronga Zoo and Mark O Brien period. This means that the Fiji petrel egg laying probably from BirdLife International Pacific Secretariat. starts about mid June to July and hatching August to September with fledging in November/December.

A group photo of the survey team in The islands surveyed included Gau, Batiki, Nairai, Koro, Yacata, Kaibu, Vanuabalavu, Mago and Cicia. Research included herpetofauna and bird surveys as well as assessing the presence and impacts of invasive species on these islands. A report from the survey will be A Collared petrel chick from available in the next month.

At this time, 81 petrel burrows have been identified in four locations of Gau Island . All burrows have been identified to have been dug by petrels. At this stage only 20 of the 81 burrows have been identified as Collared petrel burrows. To other good news the Fiji Petrel Project has acquired two Moultrie Digital Trail Cameras, they operate in infrared at night and using the motion detector function can be used to capture still images of activity around burrows. Both cameras have been set at burrows that have shown sign of activity but where no petrels have been seen. These two cameras will be set on different burrows each week to try Tuvere Tuamoto (middle) during the herpetofauna survey with determine which are occupied by Fiji or Collared petrel. fellow researchers

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Newsletter 16 www.naturefiji.org September 2013 Page 3 Project Updates

Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site based Assessments A Site Support Group Workshop (TESSA) Ecosystem services are the benefits that people NatureFiji-MareqetiViti is working with many local receive from nature. These include the provisions of clean communities to conserve their islands by educating and water, crop production, climate regulation and the empowering local land owning communities to opportunities for recreation. manage their natural resources sustainably . Under Ecosystems are our natural capital and if managed previous BirdLife Fiji projects, both forest and island site sustainably, has the ability to provide a continuous flow of communities from around the country have established services. The toolkit has been designed as a decision key Site Support Groups (SSG) to help with the conservation for identifying species and provides specific guidance on and managements of their IBAs. implementing practical methods for the assessments of some services which are likely to be important to the stakeholders in the ecosystems. The five classes of services covered in the toolkit include:  Global climate regulation  Water services  Harvested wild goods  Cultivated goods  Nature based tourism and recreation The toolkit has been piloted in Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia and now Fiji. Sites in Fiji include Natewa Tunuloa, and Wainawa. A rapid appraisal assess- ment was conducted in the Wainawa forests earlier this month where participants included two Natewa Tunuloa SSGs, DOF field officers and Wainawa volunteers. Jenny Participants at the SSG workshop facilitated by NFMV Birch the Ecosystem Services officer based in Cambridge facilitated this training. This will then be replicated in From the 25th -26th June 2013 a Site Support Group Taveuni and Natewa Tunuloa respectively. (SSG) empowerment workshop was held in Natalei Eco-lodge, Dawasamu, facilitated by NatureFiji- MareqetiViti. Present at the two day workshop were invited guests from the Department of Forestry, Ksaravi Consultancy and the Ra provincial Office, who assisted in covering basic concepts of monitoring and identifying biosecurity procedures for SSGs.

Discussions were also done on the establishment, development and management of SSGs and the challenges faced . The workshop also focused on the development of sustainable livelihood projects some of which include establishing community eco-tourism projects; sandalwood nursery and fundraising Petero Qaloibau (left) Natewa SSG participates in an Ecosystem services tree identification activity. opportunities through provincial offices.

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Newsletter 16 www.naturefiji.org September 2013 Page 4 NFMV Membership Updates

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti celebrated its 6th birthday on the In the period leading up to the Kids club, NFMV held 20th of July 2013 with our first ever kids club! Our not so a membership drive for a period of 2 weeks. The kids young organization, turned 6 years on the 30th of June, and who attended the Kids club, drew the winning en- we celebrated the event with our younger Nature Fiji tries these are; members. The kids club had been part of the organizations Overseas category: Stuart Chape 5 years strategy, we missed the mark on the 5 years but Family member category: Andrea Taylor organized for the event on the 20th of July 2013. The kids Standard member: David Harrison club activity was scheduled with programs from; puzzle The great support provided by our members has games , bird bingo and a small talanoa on some of Fiji’s allowed NFMV to grow and prosper as a membership native species using life sized animal models. The animal based organization in Fiji. This support has also models that were made from recycled fabrics by NFMV allowed the future generation to form a Kids club member, Anne O’Brien was a favourite for the children as each model was inspected with care by the very curious with NFMV, learning about Fiji’s birds, plants and club members! The children celebrated with a birthday mammals all the while having fun! Thank you for cake and all walked away with a locally produced Alphabet being a member of NatureFiji-MareqetiViti. poster, compliments of the work by GIZ and NFMV. We would also like to say a big Vinaka vakalevu to one of our younger members Ms. Abigail and Mr. Aidan Taylor who celebrated their birthday by collecting donations, instead of presents, to be given to NatureFiji-MareqetiViti. They collected a generous amount which is received as ‘donation’ and will go to the membership project of our locally established conservation organisation.

Activities at NFMV L-R; The animal models tour, a group picture of the attendees, GIZ posters were complementary prizes and our 6th birthday cake.

NFMV also acknowledges the assistance of Marnet Africa who provided her time, skills and resources in the joint celebration of the Kids club event and NFMV’s 6th birthday. L-R: Aidan and Abigail Taylor provided a cash donation to NFMV , as part of their birthday celebration. Proud Corporate Members of NatureFiji-MareqetiViti

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti Newsletter 16 www.naturefiji.org September 2013 Page 5

Kids Corner

the first to the finish line, you also get points for the stars collected. Have fun! Have the for collected. points stars get the to also finish the you line, first

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How How about a family game kids? All you need is a dice and family together! a Remember, on few your way markers to the for top, see each how many player stars you and collect along bring the way, even the if you whole are Copyright of NatureFiji-MareqetiViti I 14 Hamilton- Beattie Street, Suva I Tel: 3100 598 Fax: 3100 582 I P.O Box 2041, Government Building Suva I Email: [email protected] I www.naturefiji.org

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