As Samoa celebrates National Youth Week, Conservation International would like to highlight the contributions of young leaders playing a crucial role in environmental conservation through citizen science.

This week’s theme, “Youth at the Centre of Sustainable Development: Matimatiga for a Strong Tomorrow” echoes the recent achievements of Samoa’s youth in the ongoing mangrove biodiversity assessment project.

In partnership with the Samoa Voyaging Society, CI along with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, trained a group of young citizen scientists in important skills for environmental monitoring. Under the close supervision and guidance of both organisations, these passionate individuals applied their training in the field such as conducting the first biodiversity audit of the mangroves in Lano village.

Their work not only provided vital data for national conservation efforts but also demonstrated the impact that youth can have when empowered through collaborative initiatives to protect and preserve Samoa’s natural heritage.

During, her speech at the official opening of National Youth Week Hon. Minister Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o emphasised the importance of youth-driven action in Samoa’s development:

“We focus on aligning regional priorities and putting youth at the centre of development agendas in the Pacific. These actions go beyond dialogue; they are about creating tangible solutions that reflect the unique strength and aspirations of our young people.”

These words resonate strongly with the young citizen scientists, whose active contributions to preserving Samoa’s mangroves demonstrate that they are not just future leaders but are already making significant impacts today.

“Apart from the technical skills I gained through the citizen science programme, it also helped me connect with nature, understand the dynamics of working with communities and contribute my abilities as a youth to the preservation of our environment,” says citizen scientist Kylamarie Misi.

“My participation reminded me that conservation work is not just about the ecosystems we aim to preserve, but also about the people who depend on them. It also made me realize that there is an urgent need for collaborative efforts in protecting our environment, not only for us but for future generations of Samoa and the Pacific”

As Samoa celebrates National Youth Week, CI is committed to continuing its support for youth engagement in conservation.

This project was made possible through collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Samoa Voyaging Society and the Lano community as well as the generous support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manaaki Project and the Blackmore Foundation, whose contributions have been instrumental in empowering Samoa’s youth to take an active role in environmental conservation.