One People One Reef

Technical Assistance for Community-led Reef Conservation and ManagementLong-term goals: Support sustainable coastal resource management by integrating Western science with traditional and local knowledge systems, supporting communities to make informed decisions that align with their cultural values and environmental stewardship goals. 2024 summary of accomplishments:Provided technical support to communities in Ulithi Atoll to develop sustainable reef management plans integrating Western science with traditional knowledge. Conducted 5 community meetings, conducted 7 focus groups on ecological and cultural impacts of spearfishing, reported results of a well-being survey to 4 communities, and trained 15 youth leaders in documenting traditional management practices.

Education and OutreachLong-term goals: Support the documentation and preservation of culture and traditional practices by creating media, art, and educational materials in collaboration with local communities to share with local communities, the general public, and policymakers. 2024 summary of accomplishments:Science Video: Captured interviews with a wide breadth of community members (ages 15 to 70+), local and western scientists, documented innovative community-led workshops, and live audio for a short science documentary highlighting cutting edge technologies and approaches of OPOR. Animations: Two animation videos, highlight Indigenous and modern knowledge systems?Video 1:.Two-Eyed Seeing: Harmonizing Indigenous and Western Knowledge in Ulithi Atoll (working title) ?Video 2: People and the Sea: The Crucial Role of Community-Centric MPA (working title) Music Album: 9 tracks recorded, thematically focusing on Ulithian history, culture, and environmental stewardship through non-colonial lens. Podcast: 25 interviews conducted, leading to 7 podcast episodes that explore topics ranging from cultural taboo and resource management to fishing techniques and climate changes?Podcast: Completed final editing and released all 7 podcast episodes, ensuring cultural accuracy and community approval, distributing it through digital platforms such as Apple podcasts and Google podcasts.?Music Album: Finalized album art, distribute it through digital platforms like iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play.?Science Video: Finalized post-production and publish video to OPOR website, YouTube and Vimeo. Shared out across social media platforms.?Animations: Completed post production of animation videos and prepared them for community approval and dissemination on OPOR website, YouTube and Vimeo. Shared out across social media platforms.?Print Booklets: Based on community demand, made more copies of printed digital storytelling project booklets for distribution across Ulithi Atoll.