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

Exploring the microscopic community

Vepa was very kindly donated a microscope kit last year by the Department of Land and Natural Resources in Canada, through Don Marks who lives here and runs a snorkel boat.

The microscope is being currently used to aid the biology study for these students who are having great fun exploring the microscopic environment.

Again, VEPA would like to extend its gratitude to all our donors and look forward to more of these experiences for the youth of Tonga and conservation of our resources.

2012 Calender of Projects

2012 is going to be a busy year for VEPA, continuing on is our Waste Management and Recycling Project which is going into Year 2 of our 5 Year Plan. Our efforts on the IWRM Water as a Resource Project will be getting lots of attention in the coming months with media efforts and children's school books that are awaiting printing.

We will be reviewing the Mangrove Assessment and seeing how we can improve and reduce the removal of mangroves that has occurred in the last month.

Adding 3 new projects this year for Soil Erosion, Turtle Monitoring and Protection of Nesting Sites, and turning our attention to Coral Reefs. A good mix of land and marine projects.

Again we would appreciate any help or funding opportunities that are available, so please look out for lots of information that is coming and how you can be involved.