Earth Day Re-forestation Project

Fiji Hub Achievement Report

May , 2013

Earth Day presented the perfect opportunity for Global Vision International Fiji to re-affirm its commitment to environmentally friendly projects and promote the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliances Blue Schools Programme. For this annual event GVI chose to launch a reforestation project in the Yasawan communities to raise awareness for Earth Day in Fiji.

On April 22nd GVI Fijis construction team celebrated Earth Day by planting Vesi trees at Ratu Meli Memorial School (RMMS). Vesi are commonly used for coastal protection and windbreaks in Fiji, but in this case the main purpose for planting these trees was to help prevent soil erosion and flooding that occurs at the school during the rainy season. The volunteers were helped by groups of Class 7 and 8 students who were extremely enthusiastic and keen to get involved. The trees can grow 7 to 25 meters tall (www.traditionaltree.org (2006) Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry), and thus were spaced at approximately 10 meter intervals around the school compound. A total of 18 trees were planted at RMMS, and each group of students will continue to monitor the growth of the trees that they planted as part of their weekly gardening lessons. The aim of getting the students involved in the planting of the Vesi trees was to foster a sense of responsibility for their groups trees and in so doing ensure they are cared for and properly nurtured. The students were already talking about a competition to see whose tree will grow fastest and tallest! In addition to planting the trees, the volunteers also facilitated discussions with the students about the importance of trees, protecting the environment and climate change. When asked why it is beneficial to have more

trees in their villages and around the school, many of the students shouted out that it is because trees give you oxygen and provide shade! Along with promoting Earth Day, planting Vesi will also help RMMS become recognized as a Blue School by the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance. In addition to re-forestation initiatives, the Blue Schools Programme aims to increase the scope of lessons on environmental protection in schools and Earth Day presented an excellent opportunity for GVI to do so in a creative way with the students of Ratu Meli School.

As well as planting Vesi trees at RMMS, a further 8 were planted in Navotua village, 9 in Malakati village and 7 around the GVI base. All locations are experiencing soil erosion, which the Vesi will help to prevent in addition to providing protection from the strong winds that frequently affect the region. Earth Day proved to be an excellent platform for launching a re-forestation project within the communities of the Yasawas and also helped to emphasize GVIs commitment to promoting environment sustainability in the area. Soil erosion is one of the major environmental problems impacting the communities of the Yasawas, thus the total 42 Vesi trees that have been planted in 4 separate locations will contribute towards preventing soil erosion on the coast and also in the hills behind the school and villages. GVI will continue the reforestation initiative, planting a further 58 Vesi over the following weeks across 6 communities. GVI Fiji