Update from the Field, June 2016

We've been in Vanuatu for almost two months and a lot has been happening! Some highlights: a partnership with the Nguna-Pele Marine and Land Protected Area Network; a dynamic week at the Annual General Meeting of the Vanua-tai Environmental Monitors, which included assisting with the creation of a women's network; we've created a presentation which connects people's gardening in the bush with the herbivore fish gardening the reefs (this has been well received as helping clarify the need for fish to clean the reef and impacts of overfishing); we've worked with Vanua-tai partners from south and west Malekula, which included enlisting a new woman monitor from Melip, and helped launch a brand new network for the Southwest Bay region, called the Senewnu Environmental Network; IR Project Coordinator Ronneth John prepared a management plan for the Napi Conservation Area where last year IR helped launch the Napi-Nata-Lili Environmental network; we've produced several video productions including one about an aquaculture project in Santo, and one on organic gardening for climate change adaptation.  We've completed several rapid reef surveys, and witnessed significant bleaching throughout the islands.  This week (3rd week of June), we'll be heading up to the Banks Islands where we've been planning a series of events with our Vanua-tai partners, including some environmental music concerts with traditional bamboo bands!  Very busy!  
We only have occasional access to internet here, but we'll do our best to update either here on our website or on Facebook in the weeks to come.
cheers from the team!