Santa Came Early for VEPA this year

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a blog for VEPA.  We have been so active over the last couple of months with the lovely international volunteer Vicky managing the coral reef nursery out at Matamaka (sad to see her go), the Nature Explorers Club, Karen and Kate rescuing turtles and running workshops for the board.  

The new year will be a busy time for VEPA as in the last month we have successfully been awarded not one but TWO grant applications, and an unofficial acceptance on another.  In addition to this The Vava’u Turtle Monitoring Program has been awarded the Prince Bernhard Nature Fund, which will supply funding to purchase a vehicle, rent for an office space and office equipment. 

The excitement started when we found out VEPA was successful in getting funding for a joint composing project with the Women’s Division in the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Forestry and Farming (MAFF).  The New Zealand High Commission has kindly funded this project and we will start building the compost at the MAFFF farm in January 2013.   Following the construction of the compost a series of composting workshops will be held for the women’s groups of Vava’u.  We will show them a variety of easy low cost compost types, which will not only improve soil quality but also reduce the amount of green waste being burnt. 

In the village of Toula the Australian High Commission will be funding a waste management and recycling project.  Two recycling stations will be set up where residents can separate their plastic, aluminium cans, steel cans and glass.  These cages will be collected once they are full and taken to GIO Recycling.  VEPA will be assisting Toula to plan, implement and monitor the project.

Lastly, but arguably the most exciting, it looks like VEPA will get funding to employ a part time project manager and run a year long project on sustainable mangrove management.   We will keep you updated when the official agreement has been signed.  

The new year will also bring a new office space.  We are currently looking at a cosy little space, ideally located in the centre of town with a ‘terrible’ view of the beautiful Neiafu Harbour.   This space will be shared with Kate, who manages the Vava’u Turtle Monitoring Program.

I hope all the VEPA followers have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to updating you on VEPA’s activities in 2013.

Ofa atu

Elana

2013 and beyond

with only a few short weeks left in December and time flying by we are looking forward to 2013. In the past year VEPA has expanded and achieved on many different projects and these will continue on to the next year.

Our achievements for 2012 include
- media and education outreach on environmental issues to the high schools and on the local radio.
- assistance to Matamaka for the Coral Reef Project with their school.
- Nature Explorers Club is up and running with the Turtle awareness in the next weeks.
- Received funding from NZ for the demonstration composting plot at MAFF and the women's groups.
- Other fundings applied for include Environmental Ambassadors for Mangrove field work and study.
- Implementation by Kate Walker of the Vava'u Turtle Monitoring Project.
- Upscaled our internal working including Environmental management systems and position descriptions for board members.
- Involved at government level in surveys and meetings to take conservation further.
- countless donated hours to collaboration on projects with Ministry of Environment (MLECCNR) and JICA to establish community waste management initiatives.

VEPA is still only run by volunteer board members and we give our heartfelt thanks to all those that support us with fundraising and time especially Tropicana Cafe, Sunset Grill, Poolside Cafe. Also we would like to thank Keep Vava'u Green who is based in Utah and fundraises for our initiatives. Also our heartfelt thanks to Elana and Kate for all their works to take us forward as well as to all the board members for their generous time and support. Thanks also to our international volunteers Damo and Vicky who made a lot of the above possible with their time here.

Taking VEPA through to 2013 is to include

- finding our own office space and part time employee
this really needs help from local businesses who are willing to help us through donations. Project funding sadly does not cover administration costs and general NGO running, so please if you can help us in any way email us on info@vavauenvironment.org or phone Karen on 8441747.

- continuing to achieve international funding for projects that are coming up. (more information to come on this)

VEPA would like to wish everyone a safe and happy December and a great warm up to Christmas and the New Year.

Malo'aupito

Karen
Project Co-ordinator