Dear Friend,

Over the last year, your support has helped make a tremendous difference in Palau that will last for future generations to come. Thank you so much!

That's why I wanted to write - to tell you that through your support of our adoption work in Palau, The Nature Conservancy is working with local communities to protect and restore the coral reefs and coastal environments in the Pacific islands.

Palau’s islands cover just 170 square miles and its population is only 20,000 -- but Palau is leading the world in coral reef and island conservation efforts.

Palau’s reefs are part of a massive interconnected system that ties together the Coral Triangle with Micronesia and the Western Pacific. Legendary for its astonishing marine diversity and beauty, Palau supports an amazing 373 coral species, and nearly 1,300 varieties of reef fish.

These waters are home to endangered and vulnerable species like saltwater crocodiles, sea turtles, giant clams and the world’s most isolated population of dugong, a relative of the manatee.

For more than 2,000 years, the people of Palau have counted on their reefs and forests for survival, but increasing pressures on these resources have put both nature and people at risk.

Threats from overexploited fisheries, non-sustainable forest practices and increasing development, coupled with impacts from events like the 1998 El Niño-related coral bleaching, have led Palauans to recognize that action must be taken to protect their environment for themselves and future generations.

In 2005, Palau’s President Remengesau committed his nation to preserving an astounding 30 percent of their near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of their terrestrial resources by 2020. This bold initiative set the bar for coral reef and island preservation.

How Your Investment is Helping

The Conservancy is helping Palau and the other countries and territories committed to the Micronesia Challenge to:

• Identify the most critical marine areas to set aside for protection
• Improve long-term management of protected areas, particularly in the face of climate change
• Develop a sustainability plan and assist with the establishment of local sources of conservation funding to sustain local efforts well into the future; and
• Assist state and traditional leaders with planning, monitoring and capacity building.

The Conservancy has worked with Palau’s community leaders and government agencies since 1992. Thanks to your support, in that time we have helped bridge the gap between traditional and modern approaches to conservation. We have made great progress, and have set a precedent for the future of Micronesian marine preservation.

With the continued support of caring people like you, we will do even more. By building on this foundation, we will continue to forge strong partnerships with governments, businesses and individuals to work towards a common vision for the future of conservation in Palau.

Thank you again for supporting our adoption work in Palau and for all you do to help save the Earth’s last great places.

Sincerely,

Bill Raynor
Director
Micronesia Program

p.s. We invite you to learn more about our expanding work in Palau. You can even post this "I support Adopt an Acre in Palau" widget on your blog, social network or Web site.

p.p.s. You can also send beautiful Rescue the Reef e-cards, perfect for any occasion! You can schedule them now to go out any day you choose.

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Photo © Jeff Yonover.