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Apia, Samoa – August 22, 2024 – As Samoa celebrates National Youth Week, Conservation International wants to highlight the contributions of young leaders who are playing a key role in environmental conservation through citizen science.
This week’s theme is “Youth at the center of sustainable development: Marti Martija works for a better tomorrow” This echoes recent achievements by Samoan youth in an ongoing mangrove biodiversity assessment project.
In partnership with the Samoa Sailing Association, CI and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment trained a group of young citizen scientists in important environmental monitoring skills. Under the close supervision and guidance of both organizations, these passionate scientists applied their training in the field, such as conducting the first biodiversity audit of the mangroves in Rano Village.
Their work not only provides important data for national conservation efforts, but also demonstrates the impact that youth can have through collaborative initiatives to protect and preserve Samoa’s natural heritage.
Young people from India’s Department of Nature and Natural Resources, the Samoa Sailing Association, Conservation International and the community are leading the mangrove assessment.
Samoa’s Minister of Youth Mulipola Anarosa Molio has highlighted the importance of youth-led action to Samoa’s development at the opening of National Youth Week.
“We are focusing on aligning regional priorities and placing youth at the centre of the Pacific’s development agenda. These actions go beyond dialogue to create practical solutions that reflect the unique strengths and aspirations of our young people.”
These words resonated strongly with the young citizen scientists, whose active contributions to protecting Samoa’s mangroves showed that they are not only future leaders, but are already making a significant impact today.
“In addition to the technical skills I gained through the citizen science program, it helped me connect with nature, understand the dynamics of working with communities, and use my abilities as a young person to contribute to protecting the environment. My participation made me realize that conservation is not only about the ecosystems we want to protect, but also about the people who depend on them.”
Kylamarie Misi and Marlene Lameta of the Samoa Navigation Association assess samples collected during the Rano survey.
It also made me realize that we urgently need to work together to protect the environment, not only for ourselves but for future generations in Samoa and the Pacific,” said citizen scientist Kylamarie Misi.
As Samoa celebrates National Youth Week, Conservation International is committed to continuing its support for youth engagement in conservation.
The project was made possible through a partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Samoa Sailing Association and the Rano community, with generous support from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Manaki Project and the Blackmore Foundation, whose contributions have been instrumental in encouraging Samoan youth to actively participate in environmental conservation.
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