To avoid rivers becoming dumping sites, the Samoa Conservation Society is targeting families living on the riverside as part of their "Our Future is Now" or OFIN project.

There is a need to encourage communities to come together to tackle the issue of waste management and restore the integrity of riverside vegetation.

Project Coordinator Seiuli Ioane Etuale explained that the main goal was to promote proper waste management to restore the value of rivers and encourage youth involvement to build their pride and a sense of ownership.

"This is a pilot project funded by the EU and implemented by the Samoa Conservation Society (SCS), the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA) and the Samoa Women Association of Growers (SWAG)," he said.

"The objectives and strategies of the project are designed to address the problem of dumping rubbish in the rivers and the illegal clearing of vegetation within the 20-metre buffer zone," he said. 

"We must also reduce the use of “single-use plastics” such as bottles, bags and other food packaging, which is becoming a major problem in Samoa. 

"We also need to restore the integrity of riverside vegetation so it can provide its natural functions like cleaning the water and air, preventing erosion and flooding, providing natural wind barriers, cooling the temperature and enhancing critical habitats for birds and other wildlife.

"The success of this effort is dependent on this holistic approach, where communities play a vital role in solving the problem at its roots”

Seiuli hoped that residents would respect the value of the rivers and their destructive force if not managed properly. Their focus is on the riverside communities as they have become dumping sites.

"All the wastes get washed out to the sea during the flood season polluting our lagoons, killing corals, shellfish and fish. Microplastics have been detected in fish that we eat which is a health problem, especially to the young children," he said. 

"SCS chose Moamoa Fou village because of its location on the Gasegase River. Moamoa Fou is still developing therefore it’s important to identify and solve the problems before they get out of control. "

Watershed and biodiversity conservation efforts have been ongoing in the Gasegase catchment area but this is the first time effort has been focused specifically on Moamoa. 

SCS has been working with the MNRE’s Department of Environment and Conservation and Water Resource Division on the protection and conservation of the Gasegase water catchment which supplies fresh water to the villages of Malololelei, Moamoa, Sinamoga, Alamagoto, A’aiofiti and downstream to Vaimoso. 

Moamoa is also linked to SCS’s INSPIRE project which focuses on controlling and eliminating invasive plants and animals, and SCS's Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) project is a carbon offset program upstream at Malololelei. The hope is to replicate the work at Moamoa in other Apia riverside communities in the future.

Their next step in the project is the formal endorsement by Moamoa village. There will be a series of workshops, youth training, tree planting, and cleanup activities with youth and schools involved in the next phase. 

"SCS will work closely with the Pulega Alii ma Faipule of Moamoa Fou, Moamoa youth groups and other interested youth groups from around Upolu so awareness and knowledge is shared," Seiuli.

"The September 16 event was the first in the series of training planned." 

It was attended by Makiko Noto and Funefeai Oliver Va'ai of the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation.  The event was attended by six science students of the National University of Samoa, two Brown Girl Woke representatives, one Chanel College teacher, four Luatuanu'u youth members, and two members from SRMWA.

One of the participants, Siainiu Fidow Peters from the National University of Samoa said," One of the key takeaways from our environment conservation project with Samoa Conservation Society has been the profound connection we've built with nature, understanding its delicate balance and our responsibility as stewards of the environment. Witnessing the positive changes that our efforts have made so far, it's clear that even small actions can have a lasting impact." 

"This journey has also allowed us to form strong networks and bonds with other passionate youths, sharing ideas and building a sense of community around a common goal. Indeed, the future relies on the actions and influence we contribute today—our role in shaping a sustainable and thriving world cannot be understated. Working alongside a dedicated team has reinforced the importance of collaboration and the power of collective responsibility in addressing the environmental challenges we face."