Thanks for joining and supporting the Kick Off Event!

The Kick-off event was organized by Omar Faustino, Program Manager of Melekeok Conservation Network, Dr. Hiromi Kobori, Distinguished Professor at Tokyo City University, and Dr. Theresa Lally, Program Director of the San Diego State University /PCC BA Program. The event was held on June 6th at the Ngardok Nature Reserve. There were over 70 participants consisting of residents from the local Melekeok community, high school students, two researchers from the Belau National Museum, professors and students from New York State University, JICA Palau Office staff, partner agencies and sponsors of the Reserve. The activities started at 9:30 am with welcome remarks by Mr. Jefferson Thomas, Chairman of the Ngardok Nature Reserve, followed by special remarks from Honorable Henaro Polloi, the Governor of Melekeok State. Professor Hiromi Kobori (Tokyo City University) gave a lecture about the project, followed by information on how to register iNaturalist by Mr. Omar Faustino.
At 11:00 am, participants were divided in to seven groups. For 1.5 hours the groups took photos of plants and wildlife in the Reserve using their smart phones with the iNaturalist app. It was a fun competition to see what group recorded the most observations and species. After lunch, participants shared the results and information. The website of the Reserve remained open until 7:00 pm on June 7th as many participants could not upload the photos under the canopy of tropical rainforest.
By the end of the event recorded 90 observations, 24 species, and 11 observers.
The iNaturalist app is now open to everyone to download on their cell phone. When you visit the Ngardok Nature Reserve, feel free to upload your observations in the iNaturalist app. This is a great way for locals and visitors alike to observe and record Palau’s diverse ecosystem.
Thanks so much to all the dignitaries and participants for making this event a success. Feel free to contact Omar Faustino if you have any questions about the iNaturalist app.

Omar Faustino, Program Manager of Melekeok Conservation Network,
Dr. Hiromi Kobori, Distinguished Professor, Tokyo City University
Dr. Theresa Lally, SDSU/PCC BA Program Director

Posted on June 8, 2019 02:57 PM by kobori