The Pacific Invasives Learning Network - PILN ©Joel Miles ©Jill Key ©Henri Blaffart ©Stuart Chape

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) IAS are new species which have arrived due to human activities, and are causing damage of some sort. The biodiversity and production based economies of tropical islands makes island nations very vulnerable to IAS. IAS are an urgent threat in the Pacific, with major environmental, economic and social impacts. ©Jill Key

Background to PILN ©NPS Tavita Togia In most Pacific countries there is a lack of awareness about the issue and an almost complete absence of capacity to deal with IAS. (GISP) Those working to address the threat of IAS are often professionally isolated and would benefit by contact with colleagues in other countries and outside experts through a network.

Learning networks ©NPS Tavita Togia Learning networks are a proven approach to improving skills and building cooperation between people. They are about people sharing what they know and can do, helping each other and keeping in touch.

PILN History The PILN design team was formed in 2003 ©Jill Key The PILN design team was formed in 2003 A start-up consultant, Dave Butler, carried out national consultations in 2004 - 2005 Partners signed an MOU in 2005 Funding to launch the network was found - NFWF, TNC, US DOS, CEPF The PILN secretariat was established at SPREP and a coordinator, Jill Key, hired in 2005

PILN Mission ©Joel Miles To empower effective invasive species management through a participant-driven network that meets priority needs, rapidly shares skills and resources, provides links to technical expertise, increases information exchange, and accelerates on-the-ground action.

The 8 PILN Partners The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Conservation International Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Invasive Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) University of the South Pacific USDA Forest Service Palau Office of Environmental Response and Coordination The National Park of American Samoa was an important member of the design team and now a close collaborator The Pacific Invasives Initiative (PII) is a close collaborator

The Founding teams There are 6 founding teams for the initial phase: ©NPS Tavita Togia There are 6 founding teams for the initial phase: American Samoa, Guam, Niue, Palau, Pohnpei, Samoa A further 6 teams have been identified for the second phase: Fiji, Hawaii, Kiribati, Kosrae, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia

How PILN works ©Jill Key Teams meet to share experiences, identify their priorities and draft action plans Annual meetings Expert exchanges Thematic workshops Information sharing mechanism Communication system

2006 PILN activities ©Joel Miles Start of the 2-year pilot programme. Funding is not yet confirmed, but we are positive. Founder teams recruited in March 2006 First meeting held in May 2006 Priorities, baseline and indicators identified At least 2 expert exchanges held

The future All Pacific nations, states and territories will become involved in PILN, either directly or indirectly. Invasive species will have a lower impact on biodiversity, agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The threat of invasive species in the Pacific Region will be reduced. ©James Atherton ©Henri Blaffart ©Henri Blaffart