𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝘂’𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 – July 25, 2025.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), in partnership with Island Conservation (IC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – SPREP and with financial assistance from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT), successfully held a community awareness with the Aleipata District on Friday, 25th July, 2025.

This event was part of the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) – Restoring Island Resilience (RIR) – Predator Free Pacific (PFP) project, which seeks to restore the unique biodiversity of one of Samoa’s Key Biodiversity Areas, the Aleipata offshore island, Nu’utele.

The consultation, hosted at the Vailoa Methodist Church community hall, brought together representatives from the 13 villages of Aleipata District to discuss the invasive species eradication and habitat restoration activities currently being implemented on Nu’utele Island. Each village was represented by their Village Mayor (Pulenu’u) and a representative from the Village’s Women’s Committee (Sui Tamaitai).

The PRISMSS-RIR project aims to address critical environmental threats including invasive species, habitat degradation, and the impacts of climate change. Through a holistic conservation strategy, the PFP component of the project will implement rat eradication operations, restore native habitats, and promote ecosystem-based adaptation to build long-term resilience for Nu’utele Island’s unique ecosystems.

MNRE representatives delivered key presentations outlining the project’s objectives, planned activities, potential risks, and benefits to the community and environment. A key focus was placed on the importance of community involvement, particularly in maintaining strict biosecurity measures post-eradication to ensure the island remains pest-free.

“The participation and support of the Aleipata communities are vital for the success and sustainability of this work,” said Assistant Chief Executive Officer of MNRE-DEC, Suemalo Tumutalie Foloiga.

“Nu’utele Island is not only ecologically important but also historically, culturally and economically significant to the local people.”

Open discussions provided an opportunity for community members to raise questions, express concerns, and offer feedback on the proposed operations. This engagement marks a key step in ensuring community-led conservation and collaborative management of Samoa’s offshore islands, particularly as the nation continues to adapt to the pressing challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

The MNRE, would like to express sincere appreciation towards those who have worked towards getting us to this stage of the project – namely partners such as the landowner Tualemoso Fa’afetai Sagapolutele & family, SPREP-PRISMSS, IC, and NZMFAT.

MNRE also expresses sincere gratitude towards local partners for their part in making this project possible such as the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development, Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Samoa, Ministry of Customs & Revenue Samoa, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Samoa, and the Samoa Ports Authority.