Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Three women from the Territory have just recently returned from a once in a lifetime opportunity … journey. 

They were awarded by the National Park Services to attend a five-day workshop in Colorado, USA. The only delegation from the Pacific Region and the US Territories, American Samoa was selected along with six others from many proposals that were submitted to National Park Service of non-profit organizations in the States, in partnership with the Shelburne Farm.

“It’s about climate change, and a partnership between National Park Services.”

The National Park of American Samoa, represented by Jessica Epperson, Interpretation and Education Supervisor, partnered with Kendra Pinsker, Environmental Education Facilitator at Pacific Horizons School, Gavin Homsany, Student Representative and Consultant from Pacific Horizons School, and Andra Samoa, Community Advocate, former representative, and Coordinator of the restoration of Leone village coastal wetland project, to bring together local schools, the community and the park.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be selected, and awarded by the National Park Service to attend this workshop. It’s never been done before first time for American Samoa, to attend, out of how many proposals, from other organizations.” 

Ms Andra Samoa, in response to questions from Samoa News, said, “It’s the first time American Samoa has received a unique opportunity.

 “The main focus for this year’s project is Climate Change. The PEC team is preparing a program to be introduced to local teachers and students, to promote awareness and the capability to adapt to the changing climate around us.

“Furthermore, it focuses on giving our future community leaders the tools from a young age to push through the climate crisis on the horizon, and to potentially bring about change that can slow the effects of the rapidly changing environment on our island.”

As to what benefits would American Samoa gain out of this award they’ve received? Ms Andra Samoa pointed to “professional developments for the teachers, community advocates, champion out in the different villages, with the national park so there can be a curriculum for the students, that is not only in the classroom, but they come out to see with their own eyes, and walk the villages, as climate change impacts American Samoa and every village.”

The National Park of American Samoa was selected to participate in a Park for Every Classroom (PEC) in January 2023, a pilot program through Shelburne Farms, an education non-profit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future.

 PEC is an education-based partnership that brings together the National Park Service, local classrooms, and community partners.

Five other National Parks throughout the United States were selected, with one of its Territories, American Samoa. It is with the intent that park staff know their park’s resources and how to communicate their importance, teachers know their students and how to help them learn and community partners know local needs and assets.

The program consists of 5 webinars that started in February and included a one week in person workshop in Estes Park, Colorado with the final webinar to be held in August.

 The former faipule from Leone, a community advocate, environmentalist, consultant on health issues, Ms Samoa wears many hats including animal health protection, recycling,  climate change issues and how it affects the people.

“I’m an environmentalist and a community advocate, with many years of protecting the environment and working on coral reef restoration, and also the coastal wetland.

“We are working with teachers that want to see for themselves and for their students the work I do at Leone," she told Samoa News.