Fiji

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

This is a list of organizations, groups, and universities  that we feel could most benefit from our website and our compilation of information on the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests:   

SPC Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC)

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The SPC Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) is a division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community located on Nabua, Fiji and began in January 2011. The mission of SOPAC is as follows: "to help Pacific island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they wish to leave for the generations that follow." The goal of the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division is to apply geoscience and technology to realize new opportunities for improving the livelihoods of Pacific communities.
SOPAC’s mission aligns with what many conservationists strive for, which is the preservation of the Tropics. More specifically, the SOPAC “Ocean and Islands Program” provides applied ocean, island and coastal geoscience services to support countries to govern and develop their natural resources, increase their resilience to hazards and facilitates data-based approaches to adaption. These vital technical services will be strategically deployed in response to specific Member requests to assist in the development, management and monitoring of natural resources and unique island environmental systems and processes. Our website can offer further information and support to the intricate technical services that SOPAC provides and aid in development and monitoring of the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests.
WEBSITEhttp://www.sopac.org/index.php/goals-rational-and-critical-issues


The Global Environment Facility

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The Global Environment Facility (GEF) unites 182 member governments in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to address global environmental issues. Independently, GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Fiji is one of the 182 governments that are in partnership with the GEF and the GEF has worked to increase public awareness of biodiversity issues in Fiji, which in hope will lead to effective and sound decision-makings of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at all levels. Overall, the hopes of GEF’s objective is to ensure information is centrally and evenly distributed, so everyone is made aware of the conditions of biodiversity on Fiji. Our website would be a wonderful addition to assist in the distribution of information on a specific location and forest type on the Fijian islands.
WEBSITEhttp://www.thegef.org/gef/  


The U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji

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The US Embassy on Fiji, located in Suva with C. Steven McGann acting as the ambassador for the US, is one of the most important commercial crossroads in the South Pacific. The Pacific islands, and Fiji in particular, offer real potential for U.S. trade and investment, especially in tourism and the sale of consumer goods. The South Pacific, encompassing almost a third of the southern hemisphere, is of importance to U.S. policy, especially in relation to such diverse issues as open sea-lanes, fisheries and the marine environment.
To aid in addressing the diversity of environmental problems the world faces, the Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs established 12 regional environmental offices (REOs), with the Pacific Regional Environmental Office being located at the US Embassy in Fiji. This office tracks environmental developments in 16 Pacific island countries and territories, and works with Pacific governments, regional intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental actors to strengthen and expand U.S. engagement with Pacific island countries in efforts that respond to the major environmental challenges facing the region. Our website could be a wonderful informational source to aid the REO of Fiji as a possible educational tool for local Fijians, Americans, or other world travelers to learn more about Fijian Tropical Dry Forests and the biodiversity that accompanies these wonderful Pacific Islands.
WEBSITEhttp://suva.usembassy.gov/


The University of the South Pacific

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The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international center for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programs are recognized worldwide, attracting students and staff from throughout the Pacific Region and internationally. The University is committed to winning national and international recognition as the primary research institution in the Pacific Islands region, undertaking research that recognizes the uniqueness of Pacific Island environments and society, which will assist the social, cultural and economic advancement of the countries and peoples of this region. One of the four priority research clusters at the university is Environmental Sustainability and Human Security. With the main research office located on Suva, Fiji, the biodiversity and tropical dry forests are easily accessible and our website could provide a wonderful brief informational tool to assist and enhance already developing research on this particular forest type. 
 WEBSITEhttp://research.usp.ac.fj/


United Nations Development Program: Multi-Country Office in Fiji

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The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) strives to support the Pacific by coordinating UN activities at country level and through direct policy advice in four key areas: Poverty Reduction and attainment of the MDGs, Strengthening institutions of democratic governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery and Sustainable Environmental Management.
One of the main UNDP offices that helps to provide services all throughout the pacific is the Multi Country Office in Suva, Fiji. Protection and regeneration of the global environment and natural resources asset base for sustainable human development is one of the major goals of UNDP's assistance in the Pacific. Where countries need assistance in addressing environmental issues such as climate change, and land degradation, UNDP assists them through sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through projects. The UNDP Multi-Country Office in Fiji assists Pacific Island Countries with assessing their current state of the environment in relation to climate change adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and implementing agreed strategies from such assessments, identifying national capacities to manage natural resources and developing capacity to meet obligations to multilateral environment agreements. Our website could be used as an educational tool to provide the inhabitants of Fiji (as well as other Pacific Islands) with basic information regarding the habitats in which they are surrounded by, and hopefully assist the UNDP’s efforts in creating sustainable development strategies for Pacific Island countries.
WEBSITEhttp://www.undp.org.fj/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1


The United Nation's 2011 Initiative: "International Year of the Forest"

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The UN General Assembly declared 2011 the “International Year of Forests,” and with this initiative the UN has created a global platform to strengthen the efforts in conservation and sustainable management of forests, and to raise public awareness on the value of forests and the social, economic and environmental cost of losing them. The yearlong celebration of the importance of forests will be manifested in various activities throughout the globe, both at international and national levels. The Secretariat on the United Nations Forum on Forest (UNFF) is coordinating the implementation of the International Year of Forests with the support from national governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and relevant inter-governmental, international and national organizations.
WEBSITEhttp://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/index.shtml



National Trust of Fiji Islands

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The National Trust of Fiji (NTF), a legal body funded jointly by the Fiji Government, independent donors and multi-lateral projects, was established in 1970 to provide for the protection of Fiji’s natural, cultural and national heritage. It is the only National Trust of the South Pacific region and Specializes in both the natural and cultural aspects of heritage conservation. The National Trust of Fiji recognizes the vast amount of endemic species the islands contain, and the dire need for responsible conservation education to raise awareness of the habitats and cultures at risk. In addition to their already many efforts, our website can further assist in creating awareness through our informational website in regards to the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests.
WEBSITEhttp://www.nationaltrust.org.fj/index.html


Fijian Government Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources

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The Fijian Government Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is responsible for the administration and oversight of all development on State Land in Fiji. As the principal survey authority in Fiji, the ministry is responsible for the regulation of all land surveys undertaken in Fiji by registered surveyors. It also develops, provides and maintains the network of survey controls nation wide. A major and growing role is that of land information, and the Department produces and updates all national maps of Fiji. The Valuation Division of the Department undertakes all negotiations and acquisitions of land for public purposes including assessments of rentals. Our website could offer the ministry a starting point to help make informed and comprehensive decisions in regards to land development, especially in the Fijian Tropical Dry Forest areas.
WEBSITE:http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137:ministry-of-lands-and-mineral-resources&catid=76:department&Itemid=171


Conservation International 

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Conservation International (CI) is an organization that is working at an entry level to help move whole societies towards a smarter development path. Through science, policy and fieldwork, they are applying smart solutions to protect the resources that we all depend on. They help communities, countries and societies protect tropical forests, lush grasslands, rivers, wetlands, abundant lakes and the sea. Conservation International feels: “Only through properly valuing the essential services these ecosystems provide can we create a sustainable development path that will benefit all people for generations to come.”

Conservation International's work in Fiji focuses on Viti Levu, the country's largest island and home to 70 percent of Fiji's population. The forests of Viti Levu are under pressure from logging and conversion to agriculture. CI's activities are focused on where they can have the greatest impact on issues that are most closely aligned with the nexus of healthy ecosystems, ecosystem services and human well-being. Specifically, they are working towards the establishment of the Viti Levu Conservation Corridor – a network of linked terrestrial protected areas and locally managed marine areas – because it provides the foundation in which to achieve their twin objectives of conservation and human well-being. The establishment of the 20,000-hectare (nearly 50,000 acres) Sovi Basin Protected Area through a 99-year lease with Sovi Basin landowners is the first step in establishing the Viti Levu Conservation Corridor. The lease addresses landowners' food needs by allowing them to continue to use the protected area for traditional food gathering and fishing purposes. Aiding this bridge between human well-being and development, our website can offer information to anyone interested in learning more about the biodiversity of the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests, which are located on the western sides of both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
WEBSITEhttp://www.conservation.org/explore/asia-pacific/pacific_islands/fiji/pages/projects.aspx 


United Nations Forum on Forests

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In October of 2001, the United Nations established the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) comprised of all the member states of the UN and is a subsidiary body whose main objective is to promote “… the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end…” One of the main objectives of the UNFF is to “to strengthen political commitment to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.” The adoption of the “Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests” on April 28, 2007 is expected to be an instrument of the UNFF and contribute to having a major impact on international cooperation and national action to reduce deforestation, prevent forest degradation, promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty for all forest-dependent peoples. Our website is a wonderful contribution to this UN initiative and could further assist in the conservation of the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests.
WEBSITEhttp://www.un.org/esa/forests/index.html


Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti 

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Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti seeks 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. Mareqeti Viti translated literally  means ‘caring for Fiji’ and this reflects the mission of the NGO. Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti has drawn up a program with a large focus on clubs for children and the need to create a heartland for conservation and caring for natural resources. Others include active endangered species and habitat conservation, working with landowners, a resorts conservation values program and the provision of information and awareness material on Fiji’s wildlife conservation needs. Our website aligns with the goals and focus of Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti, and could be a wonderful, interactive tool to teach children and adults about the importance of continued conservation efforts in the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests.
WEBSITEhttp://www.nationaltrust.org.fj/nature_fiji.html


BirdLife International 

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BirdlLife International is a global Partnership of conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, and working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.  BirdLife also aims to prevent the extinction of any bird species and maintain and possibly improve the conservation of all bird species. They look to conserve and improve and enlarge sites and habitats important for birds. Through birds they wish to conserve the world’s overall biodiversity and improve the quality of people’s lives. They have 4,000 staff working for conservation and over 2,500,000 members worldwide. They have already worked with the local people of Kadavu to protect the forests in Fiji by implementing a forest protection agreement in to training and support for sustainable agricultural practices that reduces the pressure on the forest. They have also been  successful in ridding the Ringgold Islands of  rats, which have been a very detrimental invasive species. Also seeing as the organization works with the local people of Fiji, they can use our website as a good compilation of information to support and advocate for Fiji's dry forest regions. Advocating for conservation of the tropical dry forests could help save the critically endangered bird species of the Fiji Petrel (Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi) and the Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amabilis)  that call the dry forests home. 
WEBSITEhttp://www.birdlife.org/index.html


Koronayitu National Park

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Around 10km southeast of Lautoka, Koroyanitu National Heritage Park  has the most accesible walking trails of Fiji's two National Heritage Parks. The park was created in 1992 to preserve the area's natural forests and endemic birdlife from clearing for pine forest and enroaching grasslands. There are six villages within the park that cooperate as part of an ecotourism project. They maintain the landscape and tracks and subsequently earn tourist dollars through village stays and manning the office. One of the best ways to help conserve the Tropics is to visit, and what better way to do that than visiting the Koronayitu National Park. To have a better understanding of what this park entails, our website would be a great introduction to the Fijian Tropical Dry Forests and what types of flora and fauna you might encounter as you explore.
WEBSITEhttp://www.pacific-travel-guides.com/fiji-islands/travel-directory/koronayitu-park/index.html


FIJI ME

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Here is Fiji Me, Fiji’s official tourism website. Here you will be able to find all sorts of places to stay, things to do and see, and underwater adventures. “Fiji is a Mecca for all dreamers, adventurers, fun seekers, lovers, divers, backpackers, families, naturalists and anyone else who is looking for their very own tropical experience of a lifetime. In Fiji we have something for everyone.” Fiji is a destination for ‘Sustainable’ eco-tourism. Stay in one of our many eco-resorts, lodges, backpackers or a village home stay, which can all be found on Fiji Me. This website is an all encompassing guide to your stay on one of Fiji’s beautiful islands and will help you better prepare your visit to these unique and wondrous Pacific Islands. Our website would be a wonderful addition to the Fiji Me section “Things to Know,” and would provide travelers with introductory knowledge on where they might be visiting and the biodiversity that awaits them.
WEBSITEhttp://www.fijime.com/index.php/home  

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