Recent grantees shared stories, videos, and photographs from their work in some of the world’s most isolated and unique island communities.

David Boseto from Ecological Solutions Solomon Islands, highlighted the challenges and progress on Ridge to Reef conservation action on his home island of Choiseul, Solomon Islands. He shared this video, dedicating the work to the memory of Tia Masolo, Deputy Director, Ministry of Environment, Solomon Islands Government who very sadly recently passed away.

Along with Dr Chris Filardi from Conservation International, David also shared outcomes of the University of the South Pacific led scientific expedition on Guadalcanal in 2015. The many new discoveries made will be vital to the long term conservation planning of upland Guadalcanal.

Also in Solomon Islands, Senoveva Mauli of the Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership (SICCP) spoke about the progress in building capacity for the SICCP and its network of conservation NGOs. By supporting the strengthening of such organizations, community-led initiatives such as the Search for the Makira Moorhen (possibly extinct) have been possible.

Steve Cranwell, from BirdLife International, also presented findings related to a bird possibly thought to be extinct – the Beck’s Petrel, known from New Ireland in Papua New Guinea. During surveys early in 2016, multiple sightings were made of the species, confirming its existence, and allowing for future management needs to be identified.

Information on current projects funded by CEPF in the East Melanesian Islands can be found here.