BACKGROUND
Mili Atoll Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization recently charted in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The organization is governed by a board of directors comprising of the Mayor, traditional leaders, landowners, youth and church groups of the Mili Atoll community.

OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our Strategic Focus is to promote sustainable conservation of our natural resources of Mili Atoll, while recognizing that our marine environment encompasses multiple threats.

Entire Mili Atoll Press Release follows. Mili Atoll Nature Conservancy focuses on two objectives:

Conservancy focuses on two objectives:

Halt and eliminate practices that degrade and destroy our ecosystems.

Develop strategies for better sustainable uses of Mili Atolls natural resources and help find ways on improving the quality of life of the communities.

For these two objectives, the conservancy seeks to make a concerted effort at the grass-roots level in order to achieve a viable conservation program, and at the same time help the local government develop and implement policies for better management of the natural resources of Mili Atoll.

Initial areas of focus:

Study the applications of indigenous knowledge on sustainable marine practices or the concept of "MO"

Lobby the ban of shark fining and other unsustainable fishing practices

Lobby for a moratorium on hunting turtles and coconut crabs in certain areas of Mili to allow for recuperation of the species

Monitor climate change and global warming and the affects it has on the reefs and the corresponding marine ecosystems

Observe the behavior and collect data on marine mammals, birds, fish and turtles

And finally, experiment with current and new alternative energy technologies, such as the use of coconut-oil (Micro-based systems) as an alternative to imported fuel and then pass on our findings to the local communities of MIli and the Marshall Islands.

PROGRAM AREAS
Data Collection: Establish a repository of collected data on the ecosystems of Mili Atoll. Establishing a baseline will enable effective follow-ups and assist in better future planning.

Center for Field Research: The conservancy will establish a field research station open to universities, scientist, students, RMI citizens and other international NGO's wishing to conduct research on the ecosystems of Mili Atoll. The site of the facility will be located on Bue Island located in the north central part of Mili Atoll.
Park Service:The park service will be responsible for the management of the field research station and the conservation area.

IN THE WORKS
Currently working on a website to be up and running by the end of the year. www.miliatoll.com
For further information, please contact:

Ben Chutaro

Chairman of the Board

bako@ntamar.com (email address is temporary, future email address will be miliatoll@ntamar.com)