Niutao Adopt a Tree Project
© TANGO, 2005. A new coastal tree planted in the Adopt-a-Tree project by community members on Niutao, Tuvalu.
Coastal erosion, caused by rising seas, is a widespread problem in Tuvalu, as in many other Pacific Island countries.
To ameliorate this problem, the Tuvalu Association of Non-Government Organisation (TANGO), provided technical assistance to community members in the Adopt-A-Tree project on the island of Niutao in northern Tuvalu.
Under this project, each individual on the island adopted a coastal tree. This could be an existing tree, or a tree planted by the individual. People were encouraged to plant native trees, along the coast, and were taught how to take care of this tree. Each individual was responsible for the health and well-being of the tree.
Planting trees along the coasts helps prevent soil erosion, as the tree roots hold the soil together and prevent it from being washed away by waves and rising seas.
In addition to mitigating coastal erosion, the Adopt-A-Tree project has other benefits. It is a move towards maintaining traditional environmental knowledge, it raises awareness on climate change, it has seen active involvement by the community in environmental management and it encourages the conservation of native plant species.
This project is now complete and was funded by the Global Greengrants Fund. There is now interest from other island in Tuvalu for similar projects to be implemented on their island.
If you live along the coast, you and your family members can also adopt a tree each, nurture and protect them. The trees will in turn protect your beach or coastal area from being eroded.