A new 400 metres nature trail in Savai'i has opened for trekkers with the Samoa Conservation Society (S.C.S.) praising Falealupo village for backing the project.

S.C.S. President James Atherton, in an email to the Samoa Observer on Sunday, said the opening of the nature trail wouldn't have been possible without the support of the pulenu'u (mayors) of Falealupo and Taofinu'u as well as the aumaga (untitled men) who did the work.

Donors to the natural trail project include New Zealand's Department of Conservation with the S.C.S. President making special mention of Danica Stent as well as his team at the society, particularly particularly Faleafaga Toni Tipamaa.

"Thank you also Jolene Nelson, President of the Council of Oceania Rangers and Amanda Dudgeon, Expedition Leader of 'Walking the Thin Green Line' for helping finish off the trail and then being the first tour group to visit the trail!

"Please visit Falealupo on your next trip to Savai'i and walk the new nature trail that takes you to the canopy walk (currently closed but will reopen soon). Currently, there is no charge to walk the trail but in future, there might be so get there while it's free!"

According to Mr. Atherton, the trail starts at a threatened plant nursery on the main road to Falealupo tai and features interpretive panels on many of the trees in the reserve. 

"Look for the large signboard beside the road," he said.

In a post on the S.C.S. Facebook page on Monday evening, the society said, "Jolene and Amanda had also been part of the setting up of Aopo Rangers and Falealupo Rangers Groups, as part of the newly formed Samoa Rangers Association."

"They have supported the Samoa Rangers Association with Uniforms and funding to start programmes for the newly formed association." 

Mr. Atherton said Falealupo set up Samoa's first community rainforest reserve in 1989 to conserve its lowland rainforest which was at risk of being logged at that time. The village is also one of Samoa's Manumea Friendly Villages which the S.C.S. is supporting to safeguard the country's national bird the Manumea, to manage natural resources sustainably, and to promote nature-based tourism.