Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Eleven “experienced local field crew members and work leaders” will be hired, under the Wetland and Mangrove Restoration in Leone Village and Agroforestry Plant Giveaway projects, spear headed by the Governor’s Office, with the project funded with more than $300,0000 through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

This is according to the “Project Timeline” outlined in the proposal, submitted by the Governor’s Office and approved by the U.S Interior Department, which awarded funds for the project. (See yesterday’s edition for part one of the story on this project that is already attracting local interest on its development, outcome and success.)

The proposal, according to the project document received by Samoa News, states that 11 new crew members would be supplemented by six senior staff from the Governor’s Office and fifty-four village pulenuu employed by the Office of Samoan Affairs from the participating villages.

It also says that Toetu Auomanu — at the Governor’s Office — will serve as the project director. Toetu brings the following knowledge and skills to this administrative position: eight years of practical experience leading island conservation projects; a graduate degree in STEM Education from the University of Hawaii;  safety and survival training; coordinated communication with village leaders; daily planning; and outreach education.

According to the timeline, between September and November 2022, the 11 field staff will be hired. Additionally, wetland restoration and plant nursery Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) will be revised, as well as safe driving, off-trail safety and field communication plans enacted.

Furthermore, maps of proposed project sites will be updated and printed to help guide daily planning and operations. And consultation with partners and participating villages will continue as well as purchases of supplies and equipment.

Between December 2022 and June 2023, the timeline shows that the Governor’s Office staff will coordinate with Agriculture Department (ASDOA), the First Lady of American Samoa’s Office (FLOAS) the School Garden Initiative, the local Education Department (ASDOE) and Samoan Affairs Office representatives to start project activities on a daily basis.

Additionally, the timeline shows beginning wetland cleanup, mangrove planting at the Leone site and the start of agroforestry seedling propagation work with partners. At the same time, growing seedlings from seeds, cuttings, fruit and root crops at ASDOA farm area will be ongoing. documenting results in the project database is also required.

This time period also calls for working with FLOAS, Samoan Affairs and ASDOE to conduct a tree planting demonstration and distribution of seedlings to villages and schools. Furthermore, ASDOE teachers and the University of Hawaii’s PACMED professors will work in partnership to help develop STEM presentations to promote the beneficial services of wetland restoration, mangrove rainforests and agroforestry systems in schools and communities.

The first semi-annual report on the project from the Governor’s Office to the USDOI’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is to be submitted between the period of July through September 2023 as work also continues for the Leone wetland restoration, mangrove tree planting, seedling propagation and distribution to villages and schools.

Promoting community awareness about the ecological, social and economic importance of restoration is also planned for this time period, according to the proposal, which also states that:

•           October 2023 thru January 2024: Continue Leone wetland restoration and mangrove tree planting and maintenance with village communities. Continue seedling propagation, distribution and outreach with communities through presentation and social media. Staff assess conservation operations, collect results and enter data into database at Governor’s Biodiversity Office in Tafuna for reporting purposes. Prepare and submit second semi-annual report to the Governor’s Chief of Staff and OIA.

•           February thru July 2024: Continue wetland restoration and mangrove planting and maintenance in Leone. Prepare and submit completion report to Governor’s Chief of Staff and OIA. Also issue a press release regarding the results and findings of the project.