Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

Institute of Foresters of Australia Assisting Vanuatu Foresters Association

Progress Report – April 2017

Nursery Establishment on Mataso

Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

Background:

The Island of Mataso is one of the disadvantage islands that were devastated by Tropical Cyclone

Pam two years ago. The impacts were so devastating given the connection of the people’s

livelihood with the only limited resources they have, as the entire forest resources and ecosystems

were destroyed.

The Vanuatu Foresters Association along with the Department of Forests with the support of the

Institute of Foresters of Australia has helped the affected areas with nursery tools and materials,

technical support and forestry seedlings for immediate replanting. The focus was not only on

Forestry farmers but also members of the affected communities to be able to contribute to their

forest restoration.

This is an important initiative for the support from IFA and the government to enable the affected

communities not only to recover but to have a resilient mentality to be able to have the capacity to

Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

rebuild and rehabilitate their forests resources in preparation for future natural and, or climate

related hazards.

The island of Mataso in the Shepherds group is one of the recipient islands for benefiting from this

recovery support to received nursery tools and materials, technical support and forestry seedlings

and the establishment of a forestry nursery. Working through area council secretaries is the optimal

option, however the two most important institutions in the communities; the church and chief were

involved and have equal participation. The activities that were carried out include;

➢ acquire nursery tools and materials

➢ sending officer to Mataso island

➢ establish a nursery

➢ providing awareness on nursery management

➢ engage in tree planting

Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

The Department of Forests in collaboration with the Vanuatu Foresters Association on the 7th of

April 2017 sent an officer to Mataso to carry out the forestry related activities. The trip to Mataso

was by boat from Emua Wharf, which Mr. Paul has to transport all the nursery materials and tools

to Emua Wharf and travel to Mataso.

On Mataso, the first part of the trip was a meeting that was organized for the chiefs and the councils

to talk about the purpose of the visit. The chiefs and the community members responded positively

and agreed to carry out the forestry activity on the island. After which the activity plan for the

week was completed with the community. However, the Category 2 Cyclone Cook came and

delayed all the activities only to be started later on the 10th of April 2017 and ended in 4 days.

Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

Approximately 1000 pots were filled with soil mix, and a total of 150 seedlings were potted, 100

of which were Mahogany and 50 were Nangai (Canarium) seedlings. The remaining pots will be

filled with Sandalwood seedlings being raised in the nursery in Port Vila.

Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

Expenditure

Description Total

Commitment

(VUV)

Total

Expenditure

(VUV)

Total

Remaining

Budget

(VUV)

Nursery Tools & Materials 373,800

Local Transport – Port Vila/Emua/Port Vila 12,000

Boat Fare – Emua/Mataso/Emua 40,000 361,800

Potting Contract 15,000 321,800

Nursery Construction 10,000 306,800

Working Lunch

10,000 296,800

DSA

35,000 286,800

Nails

1,120 251,800

Hammer 1000 250,680

Sub-Total 124,120 249680

Budget Total 373,800 124,120 249,680

Vanuatu Foresters Association 2017

Future Activities

The planned activity for May was to send an officer to Aniwa to help with the community nursery

that was destroyed. The project assisted them with some nursery materials to rebuild and restock

their nursery. The plan was for the officer to travel to Aniwa on the second week of May to carry

out the activities.

The Forestry Officer will spend up to seven days on the island to do nursery training and assist the

community to build the nursery and to raise seeds and also to manage the nursery.

The table below shows the planned activity and the costing.

Description Quantity

Price

(VT)

Total

(VT)

Airline ticket 2 12900 25800

Transportation for soils & Sand

collections 2 3000 6000

Contracted Imatu community for

potting 2 10000 20000

Sea freight charges for tools 6 700 4200

Perdiems 6 5000 30000

86000

Conclusion

The Vanuatu Foresters’ Association acknowledges the assistance provided by the Institute of

Foresters of Australia. The assistance provides the basis of rehabilitating the forest resources of

the affected communities that depend entirely on forest resources for their livelihood.

It is understood that upon exhausting the allocated funds, the next lot will be provided for the next

phase of implementation; thus we are looking forward for the next payment to be done in order to

carry out the next round of planned activities.