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Second
Regional Sandwatch Project Workshop, 7-9th July 2003
Proposals
for Sandwatch in Cook Islands and Palau
Cook Islands
Ms. Natalie
Fatalie, from Cook Islands, on her participation in the Second
Regional Sandwatch workshop writes:
"I enjoyed
the Sandwatch workshop in that I was able to meet and learn so
much from people around the world and was also able to share something
about what the Cook Islands is like with the other participants.
I found that judging the Sandwatch projects from the different
countries was very difficult but learnt a lot from this experience
both about Sandwatch and the beaches of the Caribbean Sea. I have
also heard first hand of the benefits of both Sandwatch and the
Small Islands Voice Project and looking forward to working on
these projects in the Cook Islands.
Implementation
of Sandwatch in the Cook Islands
On returning
from the workshop I have met with the Science Advisor for the
Cook Islands, Ms. Gail Townsend, and have discussed how we will
be able to implement Sandwatch in our schools. As we do not have
all the equipment we need available to us we may start with the
activities that do not require much equipment. We are looking
towards holding a workshop for Upper Primary School Teachers later
this year. In addition I am planning to discuss with Mr. Chris
Story how Sandwatch can be integrated into the ASP Network here.
In the longer term we are considering the possibility of a national
Sandwatch competition and if it was to expand through out the
Pacific a Regional Pacific Workshop for participating countries.
We will also
look at the possibility of expanding Small Islands Voice through
the ASP Network Schools. On a personal note I am quite able to
use the Sandwatch project with my own Form 7 Geography students
and look forward to doing so in 2004".
Palau
Ms. Anu Gupta,
from Palau, on her involvement in the Second Regional Sandwatch
workshop writes:
"It is clear
that those students and teachers involved with the Sandwatch Programme
found it to be rewarded and enjoyable.
Implementation
of Sandwatch in Palau
This is definitely
an activity that I will continue to push in Palau, and will encourage
the new Environmental Educator at the Palau Environmental Quality
Protection Board to push as well. I am considering starting with
a pilot project in Ngiwal. Previously, I have had a good working
relationship with the Principal of the Ngiwal School, who has
been very excited about getting her students involved with environmental
activities. In addition, the school is located across the street
from a beach. Most of the schools in Babeldaob could benefit from
this program, given that teachers are often starved for new information
and activities, and given that the majority of villages and schools
are adjacent to beaches. While beaches are not of great concern
in Palau at the moment, pending development pressures indicate
the need to focus on them early. In addition, the monitoring skills
that students learn through this program could be applied to other
environments with more pressing concerns (such as mangroves).
This means that the focus of the program would likely be primary
schools, as Koror has little access to beaches. One other possibility
is to create a joint program with the Palau Pacific Resort (PPR),
as they own the only beach in Koror. I have been fortunate in
that I have worked with PPR in the past on environmental activities,
and thus have established a good working relationship. Perhaps
they could allow high school clubs or the Palau Community College
Environmental Club (newly formed in 2003) access to their beach
to conduct the program. EQPB is also hoping to hold an Environmental
Educators' forum sometime in 2003, at which point in time this
program can be introduced and its applicability assessed. "
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