William K. William Project Manager Yela Environment Landowners Authority (YELA) Yela Ka Forest & Watershed Kosrae, FSM

 Brief Intro on Yela Watershed:  Problem/issue  Who/what needs to change?  Who will be involved?  When/How do we address this issue?  What to achieve?

Yela Ka (Terminalia carolinensis) Forest Mission: “To protect the world’s only remaining Ka forest (Terminalia carolinensis), its surrounding ecosystems, and its great ecological wealth from all harmful activities.” Yela Environment Landowners Authority

Why is it important to conserve and protect the Yela Ka Forest & Watershed? Area of Biological Significances Last intact watershed in Kosrae Ka (Terminalia carolinensis) is endemic to FSM Healthy watershed nourishes and protects feeding and spawning areas, marine animals, and habitats Largest, longest, and straightest mangroves are found in Yela One of the best fishing ground for community

 Forest clearing, particularly mangrove forest clearing at the Yela watershed, leads to SEDIMENTATION.  Mangrove forest acts as a Natural Buffer, trapping sediments and lessen the force of waves in the coastal areas.

What’s happening that effects the Yela natural biodiversity and the community?

Wood harvesters 1)Be aware or should know; - impacts of sedimentation to the Yela fisheries - importance of selection cutting in controlling erosion - how re-vegetation of cleared areas prevents increase in erosion 2) Must believe; - applying selection cutting controls erosion - practicing re-vegetation on cleared areas prevents increase in sedimentation 3) Communication; - discuss with others A) impacts of sedimentation to Yela watershed fisheries B) Importance of selection cutting and re-vegetation methods

4) Free training be provided; - selection cutting method - re-vegetation method 5) Applying the new methods or Adopting new behavior Firewood consumers 1) Be aware about; - threats and impacts of forest clearing for fuel-woods Surveys, both qualitative & quantitative, will be used to flush out their insights or perceptions Barriers will be identified, then solutions or alternative ways could be addressed as positive actions to remove those barriers Use less mangroves for firewood

 RARE  PMRI  PICRC  Yela Environment Landowners Authority  Kosrae Conservation & Safety Organization  Kosrae Island Resources & Management Authority  Tafunsak Municipal Office  Tafunsak Resource Management Committee  Tafunsak Women Association  Tafunsak Youth  Tafunsak Church

1. Qualitative Research & Analysis Aug. – Oct o In-depth interview o Key-informant interview o Focus group discussion o Observation 2. Quantitative Research Dec Mar o Finalize Questionnaire survey o Conducted by trained enumerators 3. Barrier removal planning Aug. – Nov o Consult w/ experts o Stakeholders meetings

o Implementing barrier removal activities (by stakeholders, partners); a) Community workshop on threats and Nov. – Dec impacts of sedimentation b) Workshop for wood-harvesters on Jan selection cutting method c) Workshop for wood-harvesters on Feb re-vegetation method d) Community consultation & review Mar workshops on Yela management plan_ final draft and endorsement 4) Monitoring Oct.-Nov o Baseline data collection with Technical partners

Securing the Future of Our Next Generations is Our #1 Priority KULO MA LULAP