This project is an effort by the residents of Matafa’a village to conserve the local mangrove ecosystem in response to fears that the growing population of the village will encroach upon the mangrove. The village wishes to protect the mangrove because of its ecological value and its role in protecting the community from strong storm surges. Components of the project include: (1) development of a policy for protection of the mangrove conservation area; (2) an inventory of the biodiversity of the mangrove ecosystem; (4) income-generating programs for the community; (5) capacity-building; (6) conservation of culturally significant sites located in the village that hold strong heritage value to the village people; and (7) development of a management plan for the project and a long term plan for sustainability when the funding assistance completes. Link to Source