Apart from natural disasters, much of Samoa's vegetation has been lost due to cultural activities, which confirms how the community has overlooked its role in sustaining the planet's ecosystem. 

But two organisations are keen to address that with the Samoa Conservation Society (S.C.S.) and the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) agreeing to a collaboration to clear and revitalise the 'Peace Garden' within the campus. The garden has been a key feature of the campus for 20 years but fell into disuse. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Monday, N.U.S. Planning Manager, Faith Manuleleua talked about the significance of the garden and how its use by students and the public has degenerated over the years.

"The idea behind the name of the garden 'peace garden' is for people including our students, teachers, and everyone to treat it as a peaceful green, open and educational space to learn more about Samoa’s flora, and in particular as a place to grow and safeguard rare plants," Ms. Manuleleua said. 

"The garden has been here for many years, but it was identified that a lot of students and other people saw it as a place to dump rubbish, such as plastics and inorganic materials that literally affected the growth of the plants and also the richness of the minerals in the soil.

"So, now the N.U.S. in partnership with the Samoa Conservation Society has been working on bringing it back to life with the hope of treating it as a place for relaxation in order for the students to interact with their natural environment."

According to Ms. Manuleleua, the project started in 2021 and focused on encouraging youth to learn more about Samoan plants and to understand how to conserve and respect spaces that support long-term sustainability.

An N.U.S. media release stated that the project is the start of the university beautifying the corners of its campuses, in the hope that it not only presents a welcoming atmosphere but provides space where people relax and are safe while also using it with a sense of appreciation.

Newly appointed N.U.S. Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Malua Amosa expressed her gratitude to all the stakeholders who made this dream possible and named the Pan Pacific SE Asia Women’s Association, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, and the Falealili seasonal workers program. 

"We thank Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, the Falealili seasonal workers program, and Naini for helping design the garden, build the pergola, put in the trails, and clearing out so much trash from the original garden site," said Tuifuisa’a.

"We also want to thank the former vice chancellor of N.U.S. Aiono Dr. Aiono Ekeroma and biology lecturer Roberta Mura for supporting the initial development that we managed to complete. Lastly, would like to acknowledge the S.C.S. and N.U.S. garden development team especially Aloma Black.

"But also Paulo Vili, Faith Manuleleua, Vaelupe Uatisone, Eric Groves, Agnes Tisha Slade, and Ateca Silatolu as well as the N.U.S. horticulture students for all the hard work to make the garden happen, especially all the plantings. We also thank Alvaro Hoyos for assisting with signage design."

Vaelupemaua Junior Uatisone, the N.U.S. planning officer, said the area is open to the public for free. 

"Everyone including tourists is welcome to visit this garden and they do not have to pay. The goal is to let our people know especially the young ones about some of our native plants that they have not heard of or seen before."

Mr. Uatisone detailed that some of the challenges they faced throughout the journey were the lockdowns during the measles epidemic in 2019 and the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 which hindered and slowed the progress of the project.

Ms. Manuleleua told Samoa Observer that despite policies already in place – which penalises anyone caught throwing rubbish in the area – the team is looking at raising more awareness to improve the student's level of understanding of the importance of the site.

Speaking on behalf of the conservation society, President, James Atherton, said it is a sad reality today that many, if not most people are too busy to enjoy nature and learn about her. 

"While people do not have time to know more about what them is around, this means that there is an increasing disconnect between people and the natural world and, as a consequence, a lack of concern when nature is damaged or destroyed," he said. "I do believe our current triple planetary crises of climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity are partially a result of this disconnect between people and nature. 

"We must do our best to reconnect people with nature if we are to save our planet and ourselves and this garden is a small step in that direction.”